Amendments to the rule curve governing water management in the Cowichan Lake announced today will allow the release of water stored in the lake to start later in July, resulting in improved flows in Cowichan River during mid to late summer and fall.

The Northwest Fire Centre is urging the public to exercise caution with any outdoor burning activities, since hot and dry weather is expected this week in the northern part of the fire centre.

Effective at 4 p.m. on May 27, open fires will once again be permitted throughout the Prince George Fire Centre's jurisdiction, due to a decreased risk of wildfire.

It is anticipated that the heavy rainfall experienced over the past 48 hours will cause the streamflow in creeks and rivers feeding Nicola Lake to increase and remain high for at least another two weeks.

Natural resource officers from the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations joined forces with Ministry of Environment conservation officers and the RCMP to patrol recreation sites in the Campbell River area over the weekend.

In advance of the May long weekend, the public is reminded about restricted recreational use in the Tunkwa-Duffy area and on grazing leases in the Kamloops area.

British Columbia's natural resource officers, park rangers and conservation officers will be busy over the Victoria Day long weekend helping residents and visitors enjoy a safe and peaceful holiday.

The public is asked to exercise caution, and prepare for localized flooding as water levels in Nicola Lake, the Nicola River and surrounding streams increase due to rapid snowmelt and recent high temperatures.

Effective at noon on Wednesday, May 15, 2013, the size of open fires will be restricted in most of the Kamloops Fire Centre to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect the public.

Recreational users are advised that effective immediately access to three local recreation sites has been affected due to recent spring run-off.