Prescribed Burn planned for Windermere area on ʔAkisq̓nuk First Nation land

CASTLEGAR – The BC Wildfire Service will be supporting ʔAkisq̓nuk First Nation in conducting an ecosystem restoration burn in the Windermere area. This burn is located approximately 7.5 kilometers southeast of the community of Windermere and will cover up to 19 hectares.

The exact timing of this burn will depend on weather and site conditions, but it could begin as early as Monday, September 21, 2026.

Smoke may impact residents near the burn area and will be highly visible from Windermere and surrounding communities, and to motorists travelling along Highway 93.

Key goals of this prescribed burn include:

Reduce accumulations of dead wood and other combustible material
Improve ecological habitat and grassland forage capacity for wildlife
Decrease the risk and severity of future wildfires in the area

This project will likely be implemented by Kootenay ʔa·kinq̓uku TREX participants. Kootenay ʔa·kinq̓uku TREX is a prescribed fire training exchange co-hosted by Ktunaxa Nation and the BC Wildfire Service, with support from the First Nations’ Emergency Services Society and UBCO’s Canadian Prescribed Fire Training Program. Safety is always our top priority and participants in this training exchange will be working alongside experienced BC Wildfire Service staff and with guidance from local partners and project proponents.

Burning will only proceed if conditions are suitable to achieve objectives and allow for appropriate smoke dispersal, though smoke may linger in the following days, particularly the morning after burn operations. Despite all smoke management precautions, unintended smoke impacts are possible after any burn. For more information on wildfire smoke impacts and how you can protect yourself, visit the BC Centre for Disease Control.

Fire is a normal and 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 fire), to help achieve land management objectives, reduce the severity of future wildfires and increase ecosystem and wildfire resilience.

Safety is paramount in all prescribed burn operations. Each burn is guided by a detailed burn plan that defines objectives and outlines key requirements, including weather and fuel conditions, personnel and equipment needs, mitigation measures, and post-fire monitoring. Watch this video to learn more.

Learn more about prescribed burning online at prescribedfire.ca.

Report a wildfire

The Southeast Fire Centre would like to thank the public for its continuing help in preventing wildfires.

You can report a wildfire, unattended campfire, or open burning violation by:

Dialing *5555 on a cell phone
Calling 1 800 663-5555 toll-free
Reporting through the BC Wildfire App Report a fire function
- Reporting through the app lets you upload images and can be used without service.

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Contact

Sean Tonelli
Communications Manager
ʔAkisq̓nuk First Nation
250 342-6301 ext. 3889 / 250 342-5686

Fire Information Team
BC Wildfire Service
Southeast Fire Centre
250 318-7715
BCWS.SEFCInfo@gov.bc.ca

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