The BC Wildfire Service will be supporting Galloway Lumber in conducting site preparation prescribed burns in the Bull River area.

The burns will be located approximately 20 kilometres northeast of the community of Bull River, in the lower Bull River Valley near Camp and Van creeks. A UAV (drone) may be used to assist ground crews with ignition and monitoring activities. The project area covers up to 22 hectares.

The exact timing of this burn will depend on weather and site conditions, but it could begin as early as Friday, September 18.

Smoke is expected to remain primarily within the Bull River Valley; however, in the days following the burn, minor smoke drift into the Kootenay Valley – particularly during overnight periods – may occur. Smoke may be visible from the communities of Bull River, Wardner, and the surrounding area, and to motorists travelling along Highway 3.

Key goals of this prescribed burn include:

Reduce build-up of dead and combustible materials;

Prepare the site for planting and regeneration activities;

Decrease the risk and impacts of future wildfires in the area.

This project will be implemented by Kootenay ʔa·kinq̓uku TREX participants. Kootenay ʔa·kinq̓uku TREX is a prescribed fire training exchange co-hosted by Ktunaxa Nation and the BC Wildfire Service, with support from the First Nations’ Emergency Services Society and UBCO’s Canadian Prescribed Fire Training Program.

Safety is always our top priority and participants in this training exchange will be working alongside experienced BC Wildfire Service staff and with guidance from local partners and project proponents.

Burning will only proceed if conditions are suitable to achieve objectives and allow for appropriate smoke dispersal, though smoke may linger in the following days, particularly the morning after burn operations. Despite all smoke management precautions, unintended smoke impacts are possible after any burn. For more information on wildfire smoke impacts and how you can protect yourself, visit the BC Centre for Disease Control.

Fire is a normal and natural process in many of B.C.’s ecosystems. The BC Wildfire Service works regularly with land managers to undertake fuel management activities (including the use of prescribed fire), to help achieve land management objectives, reduce the severity of future wildfires and increase ecosystem and wildfire resilience.

Safety is paramount in all prescribed burn operations. Each burn is guided by a detailed burn plan that defines objectives and outlines key requirements, including weather and fuel conditions, personnel and equipment needs, mitigation measures, and post-fire monitoring. Watch this video to learn more.

BC Wildfire Service

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