The BC Wildfire Service will be supporting yaqan nuʔkiy (Lower Kootenay Band) to conduct a prescribed burn covering up to 4.8 hectares in the Sanca area of the Southeast Fire Centre, about 20 kilometres northwest of Creston on the east side of Kootenay Lake.

Smoke may be visible to recreators on Kootenay Lake, motorists travelling along Highway 3A and from nearby communities including Sanca, Kuskonook and Creston.

The exact timing of this burn will depend on weather and site conditions, but it could begin as early as today, September 15.

Burning will proceed if conditions are suitable and allow for smoke dispersal during burn operations, though smoke may also linger in the following days.

Key goals of this prescribed burn include:

Reducing grassy fuel build up as part of yaqan nuʔkiy’s broader wildfire resiliency objectives;

Providing cross-training opportunities for the expanded use of prescribed fire as a tool for wildfire risk reduction and stewardship.

This project will be implemented by the BC Wildfire Service and may include participants from Kootenay ʔa·kinq̓uku TREX if project implementation occurs while the course is running. Kootenay ʔa·kinq̓uku TREX is a prescribed fire training exchange co-hosted by ʔaq̓am, a Ktunaxa Nation community, and the BC Wildfire Service, with support from the First Nations’ Emergency Services Society.

Safety is always our top priority and the project will be implemented under the supervision of experienced BC Wildfire Service staff and with guidance from local partners and project proponents.

Fire is a normal and natural process in many of B.C.’s ecosystems. The BC Wildfire Service works regularly with a range of partners to undertake fuel management activities (including the use of controlled burns), to help reduce the severity of future wildfires and related threats to communities. These projects are carefully planned and only go ahead at the right times and under the right conditions to ensure community and practitioner safety.

Learn more about prescribed burning online at prescribedfire.ca.

To report a wildfire, unattended campfire, or open burning violation, dial *5555 on a cell phone or call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free. You can also report a wildfire using the BC Wildfire App Report a fire function. Reporting through the app lets you upload images and can be used without service.

e-KNOW file photo

BC Wildfire Service

Article Share