Bruce Ralston, Minister of Forests, has released the following statement in response to Canfor’s investment in Houston mill operations:

As extreme drought conditions continue to affect river levels on Vancouver Island, new measures to protect fish have been implemented on the Koksilah and Cowichan rivers.

As extreme drought conditions continue to adversely affect river levels on Vancouver Island, a fish-population protection order will protect salmon and trout in the Tsolum River, temporarily restricting water use for industry and forage crops.

The Province is preparing for extreme fire behaviour due to potential dry lightning and strong winds.

As extreme drought conditions continue to affect river levels in the Thompson Okanagan region, fish population protection orders will protect spawning chinook salmon in the lower Salmon River and Bessette Creek by temporarily restricting water use for forage crops.

Due to increased grizzly bear activity in the upper Chilko River area during salmon-spawning season, access to Chilko-Newton Road, south of Henry’s Crossing, will be closed from Sept. 1 until Oct. 31, 2023.

Residents and travellers are strongly urged to plan ahead and remain vigilant this B.C. Day long weekend, with much of British Columbia experiencing elevated wildfire risk.

Anglers in the Kootenays are being asked to fish in the morning and early afternoon to protect fish from the effects of warm water later in the day.

Bruce Ralston, Minister of Forests, has released the following statement on the death of a firefighter assisting with response efforts on the Donnie Creek wildfire near Fort St. John: