In April 2023 after five years of planning, the Ktunaxa Nation community of ʔaq’am led the Airport Pasture Prescribed Burn project with support from many partners, including burn boss Colleen Ross, fire ecologist Bob Gray, the City of Cranbrook, Regional District of East Kootenay and the BC Wildfire Service.

In July 2023, less than four months after the successful prescribed burn, the St. Mary River wildfire moved into the community of ʔaq’am.

Watch the video, filmed May 2024, to see how the prescribed fire project helped to mitigate the wildfire’s intensity and forge strong relationships that were instrumental during response.

Lead image: A view of the July 2023 St. Mary River wildfire from ʔaq’am. e-KNOW file photo

BC Wildfire Service

Article Share