Although fall has officially arrived, fire conditions in the Prince George Fire Centre remain volatile and new incidents are being reported daily. The Wildfire Management Branch reminds the public to take precautions when enjoying the backcountry.

First Nations students will receive specific training and be better skilled, thanks to a new two-year educational support program that will help ensure they have the opportunity to participate successfully in British Columbia's forest sector.

The B.C. Cattlemen's Association has received another boost for its program to maintain and restore riparian ecosystems, thanks to a $30,000 grant from the B.C. government.

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.

New harvest levels for Haida Gwaii have been determined by B.C.'s deputy chief forester Jim Sutherland.

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

Effective at noon PDT on Thursday, Sept. 20, all open fires and fireworks will be prohibited throughout the Prince George Fire Centre, with the exception of the Prince George Forest District east of Highway 97 and the Fort Nelson Forest District.

Effective at noon PDT on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012, the prohibitions on open fires in the Southeast Fire Centre will be extended.

Effective at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012, all open fires are prohibited throughout the Northwest Fire Centre, with the exception of the former North Coast Forest District, the Cassiar Fire Zone and the portion of the Skeena Fire Zone north of the Meziadin Junction.