In response to UBCM Resolution C-27, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson re-affirmed government’s commitment to Vancouver Island’s old growth forests and stated there was no need to cease logging.

If weather permits on Sept. 29, 2016, the BC Wildfire Service will conducting an 11.7-hectatre prescribed burn four kilometres north of Nevertouch Lake, 50 kilometres east of Kelowna, B.C.

BC Wildfire Service crews will be conducting a series of controlled pile burns in the Nadina Zone between Sept. 27 and Oct. 28 in collaboration with the Forests for Tomorrow Program.

Smoke from Washington State may be visible today in many areas of the Southeast Fire Centre.

A new $1-million trust will be established to commemorate the visit of Their Royal Highnesses, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and celebrate the endorsement of the Great Bear Rainforest under The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy initiative.

Effective at noon on Sept. 26, 2016, all open fires will once again be permitted throughout the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction. Tiki torches, burn barrels, fireworks, sky lanterns and binary exploding targets are also permitted. Accumulated rain and cooler temperatures has reduced the wildfire risk in the region.

BC Wildfire Service personnel will be conducting a prescribed burn for BC Timber Sales the week of Sept. 26 weather permitting.

The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations plans to conduct a series of prescribed burns at sites west and south of Williams Lake between Sept. 27 and Nov. 11, 2016, weather conditions permitting.