The BC Wildfire Service will be conducting a series of ecosystem restoration burns in the West Parsnip area of the Mackenzie Natural Resource District from June 7 to June 30, 2017, if weather and site conditions are favourable.

BC Wildfire Service crews are continuing their efforts to supress a wildfire burning about five kilometres south of Pantage Lake and 40 kilometres northwest of Quesnel.

In efforts to protect critical moose habitat and to restore moose populations in the Murphy Watershed near Lac La Hache, the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations is proposing an access management plan, which includes blocking and deactivating select roads in the watershed.

Premier Christy Clark issued the following statement in response to the federal government’s announcement of $867 million over the next three years for Canada’s forestry communities, workers and companies that may be adversely affected by the ongoing softwood lumber dispute with the U.S.:

Motorists should expect delays of approximately 20 minutes on Highway 1 between Shawnigan Lake Road and Aspen Road and are advised to allow for extra travel time during construction, especially on Friday and Sunday afternoons as well as long weekends.

Saanich residents are advised that the second aerial spraying treatment to eradicate invasive gypsy moths from land around Elk Lake and Bear Hill Regional Park will occur Friday, May 26, between sunrise (5:10 a.m.) and 7:30 a.m., weather permitting.

The BC Wildfire Service is encouraging the public to exercise caution with any outdoor burning.

Following recent flooding events earlier this month and with the potential for more seasonal flooding in communities surrounding the Okanagan Lake in the coming weeks due to increased snowmelt and forecasted warmer weather, Emergency Management BC asks that residents in the area take precautions to ensure personal safety.

The Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt is expected to remain closed in both directions well into the evening, and possibly overnight, following an incident involving a burning semi-trailer truck carrying dangerous goods.

Beginning Tuesday, May 23, motorists travelling the Coquihalla Highway over the summer are advised to expect delays, due to two major road and bridge construction projects between Hope and Merritt.