The BC Wildfire Service will be supporting the Rocky Mountain Resource District and the Canadian Wildlife Service in conducting an ecosystem restoration prescribed burn in the Wilmer area.

This burn is located approximately one kilometre north of Wilmer and will cover up to 36.8 hectares.

The exact timing of this burn will depend on weather and site conditions, but it could begin as early as Monday, September 21.

Smoke may impact residents near the burn area and will be highly visible from Wilmer and surrounding communities, and to motorists travelling along Highway 93.

Motorists planning to travel along Westside Road can expect traffic control, and Westside Road may be intermittently closed to support crew safety while operations are underway.

Stopping on Westside Road near the burn area will not be permitted.

Key goals of this prescribed burn include:

• Reduce forest health issues associated with dense tree stands
• Enhance ecological resilience and biodiversity
• Provide habitat benefits for a variety of species
• Decrease the risk and impacts of future wildfires in the area

This project will likely 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.

e-KNOW file photo

BC Wildfire Service 

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