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Prescribed burn planned for the Wycliffe area
The BC Wildfire Service will be conducting a prescribed burn covering up to 30 hectares in the Wycliffe area of the Southeast Fire Centre, about 14 kilometres northwest of Cranbrook.
Smoke may be visible from Cranbrook and surrounding areas, and to motorists travelling along Highway 95A.
The exact timing of this burn will depend on weather and site conditions, but it could begin as early as Monday, 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 build-up of dead and combustible material;
- Removing forest fuels to reduce the long-term risk of wildfire;
- 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 Kootenay ʔa·kinq̓uku TREX participants. 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 participants in this training exchange will be working 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.
Learn more about Cultural Burning and Prescribed Fire YouTube video is an excellent resource to learn more about importance of cultural and prescribed fire practices.
BC Wildfire Service file photo
