With the support of the Rocky Mountain Trench Natural Resources Society, BC Wildfire Service plans to conduct a 350-hectare ecosystem restoration burn near the Old Kimberley Airport, about 18 kilometres east of Kimberley.

Smoke will be visible from Kimberley, Cranbrook and surrounding communities, and to motorists travelling along Highway 93 and Highway 95A.

The exact timing of this burn will depend on weather and site conditions, but could begin as early as Monday, Oct. 5.

Burning will proceed only if conditions are suitable and allow for a low-intensity to moderate-intensity fire. All prescribed burns must comply with the Environmental Management Act and the Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation. This helps minimize the amount of smoke generated.

Trained BC Wildfire Service personnel will monitor this fire at all times.

Key goals of this prescribed burn include:

• restore a more open forest structure by reducing tree density;
• maintain wildlife ecosystems, including ungulate winter range;
• rejuvenate understory vegetation (e.g. smaller plants growing under the tree canopy);
• reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires in the area.

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 burns), to help restore ecosystem dynamics and reduce the severity of future wildfires and related threats to communities.

Learn more about prescribed burning.

BC Wildfire Service

---

Article Share

---