Kamloops Fire Centre officials have responded to 61 person-caused fires since April 1. Forestry officials have also received reports of oversized bonfires and graduation party fires.

More British Columbians benefited from jobs in April, as B.C.'s unemployment rate dropped to 6.2 per cent from seven per cent in March, and gained 19,700 jobs - 16,700 of which are full time positions.

Premier Christy Clark has announced $1.6 million for skills training programs at Thompson Rivers University, while visiting the Williams Lake campus.

The exceptional accomplishments of B.C.'s Interior and Northern public service employees were recognised with the Premier's Innovation and Excellence Awards, Premier Christy Clark announced.

Through effective collaboration and the strong commitment of all parties involved, the recovery of Burns Lake is well underway.

When Ron Handford, Yellowhead Mining Inc.'s executive vice-president of corporate development, was on the Premier's jobs and trade mission to Asia last fall, he spoke with executives connected with smelters, mining and trading companies in Japan, China and South Korea.

Over the next few weeks, staff from the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation will begin to consult and work directly with a team of community leaders and tourism stakeholders from Burns Lake on tourism planning to strengthen economic opportunities for the area.

Today marked the first major step in Burns Lake's road to recovery after the destruction of the Babine Forest Products mill, thanks to a jobs fair with 24 participant booths and maximum capacity attendance from the community.

Forest industry veteran Bob Clark, vice-president of forestry consultants J B Clark and Co., has been recruited to lead the provincial government's on-the-ground Burns Lake economic response efforts, announced Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Pat Bell.