The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations is planning a series of controlled burns near Chimney Lake and Felker Lake between April 7 and mid-May 2014, weather conditions permitting.

Smoke and flames from a prescribed burn may be visible north of the Village of Clinton and west of Highway 97 from April 1-11, 2014.

The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations is planning to conduct three prescribed burns in the Lillooet Fire Zone. These controlled burns are scheduled to start on Tuesday, April 1, 2014, and conclude by Friday, April 15, 2014.

Prescribed burning is planned for the Bald Range and Eneas Creek areas between March 25 and May 16, 2014, weather conditions permitting.

The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations is planning to conduct a prescribed burn in the Johnstone Creek area.

Smoke and flames from a wildfire training exercise may be visible in the Predator Ridge area southwest of Vernon and along Highway 97 on the weekend of March 22-23, 2014.

Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson issued the following statement in recognition of International Day of Forests:

The Southeast Fire Centre is asking the public to exercise caution while conducting any outdoor burning activities this spring.

It is now legal for licensed hunters to harvest feral pigs anywhere in the province, under a new regulatory amendment designating the animal as "Schedule C" wildlife.

Every British Columbian has an interest in ensuring that natural resource sector activities are being conducted legally and safely.