Effective at 12 noon on Friday, Sept. 23, 2011, backyard burning will be permitted within parts of the Coastal Fire Centre due to a decreased risk of wildfire.

Effective at 12 noon on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2011, campfires are allowed within the Kamloops Fire Centre's jurisdiction due to a decreased risk for wildfires.

Effective noon Sept. 21, 2011, all open fires will be permitted across the Columbia Fire Zone due to a decreased risk of wildfires. However, open fires remain prohibited within the rest of the Southeast Fire Centre's jurisdiction, with the exception of campfires.

With kids back to school after summer vacation, life is starting to settle into routine. Help keep daily physical activity a part of your family's schedule and win some great prizes by joining in on the Healthy Families BC Walking Challenge.

Overall, at 93,465 reservations to date, camping reservations in provincial parks are up eight per cent over last year, and up an impressive 48 per cent for the week of Aug. 22-28, 2011.

Bring your family and sense of adventure to the climbing festival this Labour Day weekend Sept. 2-5, 2011, at Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park.

Effective at 12 noon Friday, Aug. 12, 2011, all open burning, including campfires and fireworks, will be prohibited across the Merritt and Lillooet fire zones within the Kamloops Fire Centre to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety.

Compliance and Enforcement staff inspected more than 50 campfires at Shuswap Lake during the B.C. Day long weekend, but didn't have to issue one violation ticket.