WILLIAMS LAKE – Williams Lake First Nation and the Cariboo Chilcotin Natural Resource District, with support from the BC Wildfire Service, will be conducting a prescribed burn south of Williams Lake to reduce wildfire risk.
When and where
Burning may begin as early as Tuesday, April 15, continuing periodically until Friday, April 25, 2025. Ignitions will only proceed if conditions are safe, with favorable weather and atmospheric venting allowing smoke to clear quickly.
The prescribed burn will cover up to 20 hectares in the area around the Thunder Mountain Speedway, south of Highway 20 adjacent to Bond Lake Road.
What to expect
Smoke may be visible from Williams Lake and surrounding communities, and to motorists travelling along Highway 20, Dog Creek Road and Bond Lake Road.
While burning is underway, traffic control will be on-site to ensure the safety of public and firefighters, short delays may occur.
The perimeter of the burn will be extinguished at the end of each day. Firefighters will return to the site daily to ensure full extinguishment. Smoke from within the perimeter may remain visible up to 72 hours after ignition.
Objectives of the prescribed burn
- Reduce wildfire risk around Williams Lake and surrounding communities
- Use fire to restore grassland and forest health to encourage a properly functioning ecosystem
- Strengthen collaboration between Williams Lake First Nation, Cariboo Chilcotin Natural Resource District and BC Wildfire Service
Learn more
Fire is a 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 reduce the severity of future wildfires and related threats to communities.
Learn more about prescribed burning online at prescribedfire.ca or find more resources here.
Report a fire
To report a wildfire, dial *5555 on a cell phone or call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free. To report an unattended campfire or open burning violation, call the RAPP line on 1 877 952-7277.
You can also use the Report function in the BC Wildfire App to report a wildfire. Reporting though the app let’s you upload images and can be used without service.
For the latest information on current wildfire activity, prohibitions and restrictions, road closures, and air-quality advisories please visit BCWildfire.ca, the BC Wildfire Map, or use the BC Wildfire app.
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Contact:
John Walker, RPF
Stewardship Forester
Williams Lake First Nation
778-417-0182
john.walker@wlfn.ca
Fire Information Officer
Cariboo Fire Centre
BC Wildfire Service
778-799-2100
CaFCInfo@gov.bc.ca
Connect with the Province of B.C. at www.gov.bc.ca/connect.