Twelve British Columbia small businesses will receive funding totalling $244,415 to make their creative energy-saving solutions a reality, announced Rich Coleman, Minister of Energy, Mines and Natural Gas.

Abnormally dry weather will persist through the Thanksgiving Day long weekend, so the Coastal Fire Centre is urging the public to continue to be cautious with any forest activity that could start wildfires, including campfires and equipment use.

The public is reminded that, despite cooler temperatures in recent days, drought-like conditions persist in many of the Southeast Fire Centre's fire zones.

With unseasonably warm and dry weather conditions expected to continue over the Thanksgiving Day long weekend, the Kamloops Fire Centre is urging the public to continue to be cautious with their outdoor activities.

The Wildfire Management Branch is working with the Keremeos Fire Department to control a wildfire five kilometres south of Cawston. The fire is estimated at 16 hectares.

The Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) Observatory, run by the University of Victoria, will receive $8.9 million from government to support ongoing research activities.

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) and the British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations are proud to announce the start of an extensive rebuild of Pitt Marsh, a 1,342-hectare (3,316-acre) part of the Pitt-Addington Wildlife Management Area located in Pitt Meadows, east of Vancouver.

Effective at noon on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012, open fires will be permitted throughout the Northwest Fire Centre due to a decreased risk of wildfire.

Effective at noon PDT on Oct. 2, 2012, open fires will be permitted throughout the Prince George Fire Centre, due to a decreased risk of wildfires.