Government and Cariboo Regional District (CRD) officials continue to work together to address the breach at the Mount Polley tailings pond, to test the local drinking water to determine if it is safe for locals to drink or bathe in, and to help ensure the safety and well-being of local residents.

People living in the communities of Cranbrook, Fernie, Elkford, Sparwood, Fort Steele and Kimberley may notice a large column of smoke in the air as a result of proactive burning starting on Monday, Aug. 11, 2014, around a lightning-caused wildfire 8 kilometres north of Fisher Peak.

Government and Cariboo Regional District (CRD) officials continue to work together to address the breach at the Mount Polley tailings pond, to test the local drinking water to determine if it is safe for locals to drink or bathe in, and to help ensure the safety and well-being of local residents.

Water samples taken from the shore of Polley Lake on Aug. 7, 2014, have been tested and are very close to historical levels prior to the Aug. 4, 2014, tailings pond breach at Imperial Mines.

Government and Cariboo Regional District (CRD) officials continue to work together to address the breach at the Mount Polley tailings pond, to test the local drinking water to determine if it is safe for locals to drink or bathe in, and to help ensure the safety and well-being of local residents.

A new agreement with the B.C. government will allow the Squamish Nation to share provincial revenue from the Box Canyon Hydro Project.

A new Area Restriction Order is in effect immediately around wildfires near Canal Flats to protect the safety of firefighting personnel and the public.

The following is the latest information from the Ministry of Environment with regards to the Mt. Polley mine tailings pond breach.

With weather conditions expected to remain hot and dry in the coming week, water users on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands are being urged to reduce water consumption.

Government and Cariboo Regional District (CRD) officials continue to work together to address the breach at the Mount Polley tailings pond, to test the local drinking water to determine if it is safe for locals to drink or bathe in, and to help ensure the safety and well-being of local residents.