During these long cold winter nights, people light their fireplaces to stay warm. But do you know where your firewood came from? Was it legally harvested?

B.C.'s chief forester has set the allowable annual cut for the Sunshine Coast timber supply area at 1,197,949 cubic metres, unchanged from the previous level.

The Sunshine Coast Clean Air Society received $25,000 from the wood stove exchange program to encourage residents to trade in their smoky old wood stoves for a high-efficiency model or other clean-burning appliance, Environment Minister Terry Lake announced today.

Effective at 12 noon on Friday, Sept. 23, 2011, backyard burning will be permitted within parts of the Coastal Fire Centre due to a decreased risk of wildfire.

Comments are being accepted until Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011 on a discussion paper released today as part of a comprehensive review of the Sunshine Coast timber supply area.

Sunshine Coast residents will now find it even easier to access government services with the official opening of a brand-new FrontCounter BC office at 7077 Duncan St. in Powell River.

The public is invited to review and comment on the draft land use order to establish Old Growth Management Areas in five landscape units in the Sunshine Coast District.

Effective at 12 noon on Monday, May 16, 2011, Category 2 open fires will be prohibited in parts of the Coastal Fire Centre's jurisdiction to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect the public.