CASTLEGAR – To help reduce the risk of wildfires, the BC Wildfire Service is supporting the ʔaq̓am community in partnership with the City of Cranbrook in conducting a prescribed burn north of Mission Wycliffe Road, approximately 9 kilometres north of Cranbrook. The burn area contains multiple treatment units (TU) covering a total of 141 hectares to support wildfire risk reduction and ecosystem restoration on the landscape. Burning will happen in multiple stages as conditions allow, starting with TU 4 which covers up to 44 ha.
The exact timing of this burn will depend on weather and site conditions, but it could begin as early as Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026.
Smoke may impact residents near the burn area and will be highly visible from Cranbrook and surrounding communities, and to motorists travelling along Highway 95A and Mission Wycliffe Road.
Key goals of this prescribed burn include:
- Enhance wildlife habitat / forage and native plant communities
- Decrease the risk and impacts of future wildfires in the area
- Provide cross-training opportunities for the expanded use of prescribed fire as a tool for wildfire risk reduction, ecosystem restoration and stewardship
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.
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.
Stay up-to-date with the latest wildfire news
- BCWildfire.ca
- BC Wildfire Map
- BC Wildfire App: Apple or Android
- Facebook and Instagram
Contact
Will Kaufman
Manager, Forest Stewardship
ʔaq̓am – Lands and Resources Department.
236-703-9542
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