Weather and ground conditions permitting, a prescribed burn will be ignited this month to restore grasslands and open forests on Crown land nine kilometres west of Canal Flats.

The Rocky Mountain Trench Ecosystem Restoration Program has planned low-intensity controlled fires at 455 hectares at the foot of Fir Mountain just west of the powerline.

Ecosystem restoration projects have been ongoing at this site for several years. Initial thinning treatments have now reduced forest stands to the point where restorative fire can be introduced safely and effectively.

Local crews from the provincial Wildfire Management Branch Southeast Fire Centre will conduct the burns using plans prepared to achieve specific objectives for each fire.

The Findlay Creek burn will improve grazing for elk and cattle and will enhance habitat for badgers, an endangered species.

Each fire will be ignited only when weather conditions meet B.C.’s smoke control regulations and when ground conditions allow fires to be managed safely.

Prescribed burns mimic the frequent low-intensity ground fires that historically maintained grasslands and open forests in the East Kootenay and Upper Columbia Valley.

Prescribed fire controls tree regeneration, recycles soil nutrients, rejuvenates bunchgrasses and shrubs, improves forest health, and reduces the risk of more severe wildfire.

Funding for this season’s prescribed burns is provided by the BC government’s Land Based Investment program.

Visit www.trench-er.com to learn more about ecosystem restoration in the Rocky Mountain Trench.

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