Improved monitoring, increased audits, greater public awareness and higher staffing levels highlighted the B.C. government's ongoing commitment to dam safety over the past year, according to the second annual B.C. Dam Safety report, released today.

B.C.'s landscape is tinder dry in some regions, and with extended hot periods and severe thunderstorms in the Interior, the B.C. government has deployed additional assets to help manage wildfire threats.

The government of British Columbia has provided $50,000 to enable a tribute in music, poetry and stories honouring the BC Forest Service's 2012 centennial year to tour the province.

Premier Christy Clark issued the following statement at the Council of the Federation meeting in Halifax:

The body of a third victim has been recovered from the site of the Johnsons Landing mudslide, the BC Coroners Service has confirmed.

Shutterbugs with a taste for outdoor adventure will have the opportunity to see their work on the cover of the 2013-2015 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis, through a photo contest announced by the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations.

Minister of Energy and Mines Rich Coleman announced today that British Columbia's Clean Energy Act has been updated to enable the use of natural gas to power liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants. Effective immediately, LNG export facilities, and the electricity generation used to power them, are excluded from the Clean Energy Act's 93 per cent clean and renewable energy requirement.

The BC Coroners Service has announced it will resume recovery efforts at the site of the mudslide at Johnsons Landing in the west Kootenay.

An open burning prohibition has been in effect in the Southeast Fire Centre since July 13 and will remain in effect until Sept. 19 or until the public is otherwise notified.