The BC Wildfire Service is planning to conduct two ecosystem restoration burns in the East Kootenay Wednesday, Sept. 23 and Thursday, Sept. 24, if weather conditions permit.

These controlled burns are part of the Rocky Mountain Ecosystem Restoration Program developed by the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations and the Ministry of Environment.

The areas scheduled for prescribed burns are as follows:

* Raymond and Donald Creek – These areas, totalling 450 hectares, are located in the Galton range. Smoke will be visible from Highway 93 and from the communities of Jaffray, Baynes Lake, Koocanusa and Elko.

* Burn Bottom – This 380-hectare scheduled burn is next to the community of Kragmont, near Baynes Lake. There has been previous slashing work done to this area. Smoke from this project will be visible from Highway 93 and the communities of Baynes Lake, Jaffray, Elko and surrounding areas.

Smoke may be present in these areas for several days as fires within the burn control lines remain active. BC Wildfire Service personnel will monitor the prescribed burns until they are extinguished.

These are two of four ecosystem restoration burns planned to take place this fall in the East Kootenay region. For further information on these burns, please visit: http://bit.ly/1Ky40vu

Prescribed fires may only be ignited on days when the forecasted venting index is “good”. All prescribed fires must comply with the Environmental Management Act’s open burning smoke control regulation, which helps minimize the amount of smoke that’s produced.

To report a wildfire or unattended campfire, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.

For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, visit: www.bcwildfire.ca

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