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.

Effective at noon on Thursday, July 6, 2017, all open fires (including campfires) will be prohibited throughout the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction, with the exception of Haida Gwaii and the area known as the “Fog Zone”.

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.

On track to meeting its goal to see every British Columbian with access to high-speed Internet, the Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services is providing $2.5 million in grants to Internet service providers to expand and enhance high-speed Internet service for residents and businesses in rural and remote areas of the province.

More than 7,000 British Columbians will be trained by this fall through a wide range of skilled-trades and employment training projects throughout the province, thanks to $45.4 million from the provincial and federal governments in 2016/17.