Residents of the Okanagan Valley will soon have an additional 2.83 hectares of parkland to enjoy - the result of a land grant from the B.C. government's Sponsored Crown Grant program.

Effective at noon on Friday, Sept. 28, 2012, open fire prohibitions in the Kamloops Fire Centre will be extended to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect the public. Due to recent warm and dry weather, 70 per cent of the region remains at a "high" or "extreme" fire danger rating.

The B.C. government has leased a 2.176-hectare plot of land from the City of Merritt to construct an expanded Merritt Fire Zone office and training centre for the Wildfire Management Branch.

In recognition of the BC Forest Service's centennial birthday, the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, is honouring B.C.'s wildfire fighting history and increasing local recreation opportunities by restoring the Mara forest fire lookout, announced Shuswap MLA George Abbott.

In recognition of the BC Forest Service's centennial birthday, the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, is honouring B.C.'s wildfire fighting history and increasing local recreation opportunities by restoring the Owen Hill forest fire lookout, announced MLA for Nechako Lakes John Rustad.

Effective at noon on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012, an open fire prohibition will be lifted for most of the Northwest Fire Centre, with the exception of the Morice, Bulkley and Lakes timber supply areas.

In advance of National Forest Week, Sept. 23-29, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson released the following statement:

Smoky skies in the B.C. Interior are the result of several large forest fires, including the Entiako Lake fire in the northeast corner of Tweedsmuir Park. The smoke from these fires has drifted down the coast to Bella Coola, east to Prince George and as far south as Kamloops.

The public is invited to learn more about bugs and their relationship with our province's forests during National Forest Week.