The British Columbia government is distributing over $528,000 in project development grants to help rural communities develop strong, stable economies and create long-term local employment, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development Doug Donaldson announced today.

As part of the $1.1-million provincial investment to assist tourism in wildfire-affected areas, the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture is encouraging British Columbians to lend their support by visiting these areas over the Thanksgiving long weekend.

Effective at noon on Friday, Sept. 29, 2017, all open fires will once again be permitted throughout the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction, since recent rainfall and cooler temperatures have reduced wildfire risks in the region.

Effective at noon on Sept. 18, 2017, the BC Wildfire Service has rescinded the campfire prohibition that was in effect within the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction. The use of tiki torches (and similar kinds of torches), outdoor stoves, gas stoves and other portable campfire equipment is also now permitted.

The Government of British Columbia has announced a Level 3 drought rating for the South Coast Region, particularly the Sunshine Coast where conditions have been especially dry.

Rain and cooler temperatures have reduced the wildfire risk in the Central Coast region of the province, so the BC Wildfire Service is rescinding the campfire ban in specific areas within the Coastal Fire Centre.  

Effective immediately, the allowable annual cut for the portion of the Pacific Timber Supply Area (TSA) outside of the Great Bear Rainforest is 803,300 cubic metres, chief forester Diane Nicholls announced today.

Despite open burning prohibitions being implemented in the Coastal Fire Centre (with the exception of Haida Gwaii and the area known as the “Fog Zone”), the BC Wildfire Service continues to receive reports of the current campfire ban being ignored by members of the public.

Government has confirmed over $355 million in funding allocations for all 60 school districts to restore class size and composition language under the agreement with the British Columbia Teachers' Federation (BCTF).

Effective at noon on June 7, 2017, Category 2 open fires will be prohibited throughout the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction, except in Haida Gwaii and the “Fog Zone”, to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety.