Close to a quarter of a million dollars have been donated by British Columbians at BC Liquor Stores for Fort McMurray wildfire relief efforts .

As wildfires rage in Fort McMurray, Alta., forcing the emergency evacuation of 80,000 residents, BC Liquor Stores customers can support Red Cross relief efforts there by donating at stores throughout the province.

The public is asked to exercise caution and prepare for localized flooding as water levels in Nicola Lake and river and surrounding streams increase due to rapid snowmelt and recent high temperatures.

As part of the public safety funding announced in the 2016 provincial budget, the Province is committing $4 million in funding for shoreline flood mitigation projects in Abbotsford that, if left unrepaired, could undermine the dike protecting the Matsqui Prairie and important regional infrastructure.

Near hurricane force winds, Arctic outbreaks and heavy rains are three severe weather patterns typically experienced in British Columbia in the late fall and winter. They can result in downed electrical lines and power outages, flooding, landslides and hazardous driving conditions.

Okanagan Shuswap District Natural Resource Officers are asking for the public’s help in finding the person or persons responsible for tampering with culverts at Dale Lake, causing a debris flood down Cooke Creek east of Enderby in May 2014.

The Province is urging British Columbians to prepare and be diligent, as Environment Canada warns of strong winds and substantial rains for parts of coastal B.C. and the River Forecast Centre warns of high stream flow and potential flooding in many north and central coast communities.

A new agreement between the B.C. government and the Cheslatta Carrier Nation will help guide reconciliation talks on a variety of issues, including flooding impacts to Cheslatta lands and cultural sites.