Prescribed burn planned for Fort St. James



FORT ST. JAMES – As part of ongoing efforts to reduce wildfire risk and enhance community safety, the BC Wildfire Service will support Nak’azdli Whut’en, with help from the Fort St. James Fire Department, in conducting a prescribed burn along the west shore of Stuart Lake, within the townsite of Fort St. James.

The operation will involve two burn units, covering a combined area of approximately six hectares.

Burning may begin as early as Friday, May 2, 2025, in the Nus and Lakseshore areas. Ignitions will only proceed if conditions are safe, with favorable weather and atmospheric venting allowing smoke to clear quickly.

Residents of Fort St. James and motorists on Highway 27 can expect to see smoke in the area during operations.

Primary objectives of this prescribed burn:

  • Reduce wildfire risk and enhance community protection
  • Provide cross-training opportunities for Fort St. James Fire and Rescue and Nak’azdli Whut’en First Nation members

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.  

Visit Cultural and Prescribed Fire – Province of British Columbia or prescribedfire.ca for more information.

To report a wildfire, unattended campfire, or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 tollfree or *5555 on a cell phone. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air-quality advisories, visit: bcwildfire.ca

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Contact:

Fire Information Officer
Prince George Fire Centre
BC Wildfire Service
250-561-4629
BCWS.PGFCInformationOfficer@gov.bc.ca

Adam Kantakis
Director of Capital, Housing and Lands
Nak’azdli Whut’en
250-996-0011
adam.kantakis@nakazdliwhuten.ca