WILLIAMS LAKE – The BC Wildfire Service, in collaboration with Williams Lake First Nation, will conduct an ecosystem restoration prescribed burn within Pablo Creek area.
When and where
- Burning is expected to begin as early as Tuesday March 31, and may continue periodically until Saturday, April 25.
- The prescribed burn will take place on approximately 11 hectares of land north of the Sheep Creek Bridge on the east side of the Fraser River and Highway 20, approximately 15 kilometres west of Williams Lake.
- Ignitions will only proceed if conditions are safe, with favorable weather and atmospheric venting allowing smoke to clear quickly.
What to expect
- Smoke may be visible from Williams Lake and surrounding areas, and to motorists on Highway 20.
- Crews will ignite ground fuels to remove combustible materials and mimic a naturally occurring wildland fire.
- Firefighters will closely monitor the fire activity at all times during the burn.
- Personnel will remain on-site into the evening to ensure the perimeter of the fire is fully extinguished at the end of each day and will only leave once there is no risk of the fire spreading.
Smoke from within the perimeter of the burn may be visible up to 72 hours after ignition.
Objectives of this prescribed burn
- Reduce wildfire risk to the Williams Lake and surrounding area.
- Use fire to restore forest health to encourage a properly functioning ecosystem.
- Strengthen collaboration between Williams Lake First Nation and the Cariboo Fire Centre to grow capacity and knowledge for cultural and prescribed burning outside of emergency response situations.
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.
Reporting
- To report an unattended campfire or open burning violation calling call the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277.
- To report illegal fires in a local fire department’s jurisdiction, call 9-1-1.
- Dial *5555 on a cell phone or call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free to report a wildfire.
- Use the Report function in the BC Wildfire App to report a wildfire. Reporting though the app lets you upload images and can be used without service.
Stay in the know
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
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