Cultural burn planned for Máqwam Stswaw’cw (Joffre Creek) area



PARKSVILLE – The BC Wildfire Service and Sea to Sky Natural Resource District will be supporting Líl̓wat Nation and Líl̓wat Forestry Ventures in conducting a cultural burn covering up to 6.5 hectares in the Pemberton Zone of the Coastal Fire Centre. The burn site is approximately 2km north of Pipi7íyekw (Joffre Lakes), on the northwest side of Hwy 99 near North Joffre Creek.

Smoke may be visible from Mt Currie and Highway 99/Duffey Lake Rd.

Smoke may be visible from Xet̓ólacw, Owl Ridge, Pemberton and surrounding areas, and to motorists travelling along Highway 99/Duffey Lake Rd.

The exact timing of this burn will depend on weather and site conditions, but it could begin as early as Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025. 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:

  • Stimulating the growth and occurrence of culturally important plants
  • Helping to maintain forest health and a properly functioning ecosystem
  • Returning a natural process to the land base and revitalizing a long-held traditional practice
  • Reducing build-up of dead and combustible material, especially fine woody fuels, to reduce the risk of wildfire
  • Enhancing wildlife habitat, including ungulate browse quality

Fire is a normal and natural process in many of BC’s ecosystems, and the Líl̓wat Nation has utilized fire to nurture the land since time immemorial. The BC Wildfire Service is collaborating with Líl̓wat Nation, Líl̓wat Forestry Ventures, and a range of other partners to undertake fuel management activities (including the use of controlled burns) in Líl̓wat Nation’s traditional territory, to help reduce the severity of future wildfires and related threats to communities in the area. 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 the BC Wildfire Service Cultural and Prescribed Fire webpage and Prescribedfire.ca for more information.

Cultural Burning is a practice that has existed for millennia. It holds different meanings for different Indigenous communities but is often defined as the controlled application of fire on the landscape to achieve specific cultural objectives. Common objectives for cultural burning include but are not limited to cultural and language preservation, food and medicinal plant revitalization, and habitat enhancement.

Fire has always been part of the natural landscape, and many ecosystems have adapted to and need fire to remain healthy. Controlled fires can play a key role in keeping ecosystems healthy. Some of the benefits that can be achieved with controlled fire include encouraging the growth of fire-adapted native vegetation, returning nutrients to the soil, reducing competition from invasive species, and reducing forest or understory density, which can in turn make ecosystems more resilient against severe wildfires. The primary ecosystem objective for this project is to enhance the abundance of native plants and fungi whose growth is stimulated by fire, improve ungulate browse, and maintain healthy nutrient cycling.

Fire benefits numerous wildlife species and is even required for some animals to survive. Eliminating fire from forests, grasslands and other landscapes can cause ecosystem changes that affect key species, negatively impacting wildlife populations. Controlled fire can bring back wildlife food sources, maintain areas required for travel and loafing, and bring balance to food chains and species.

While every effort will be made to limit smoke impacts to surrounding communities, some smoke will be generated by the project and may linger in the vicinity in the day(s) following the burn. Exposure to smoke can irritate eyes and respiratory tracts and worsen pre-existing lung and heart conditions. If your area is impacted by smoke:

  • Run portable air cleaners with windows and doors closed. Both commercial and home-made units can be effective if operated properly.
  • Reduce the length and intensity of outdoor activities.
  • Manage pre-existing conditions and seek medical care if you have severe symptoms.

Learn more about protecting health from smoke online: BCCDC – Wildfire Smoke

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: http://www.bcwildfire.ca

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Contact:

Fire Information Officer
BC Wildfire Service
Coastal Fire Centre
250 951-4209

Sea to Sky Natural Resource District
Ministry of Forests
FOR.SeaToSky@gov.bc.ca
604 898-2100

Jordon Gabriel
Líl̓wat Forestry Ventures
604 894-6145

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect