CHILCOTIN – The Cariboo Chilcotin Natural Resource District, in collaboration with the BC Wildfire Service plans to conduct Category 3 pile burning as part of approximately 13 wildfire rehabilitation projects that began last fall.
When and where
- Work on these projects may begin as early as Friday, October 30, 2026, continuing to January 31, 2027.
- The projects include burning approximately 400 woody debris piles in wildfire-impacted treatment areas throughout the Chilcotin Fire Zone, continuing work postponed in November 2025 to allow fuels to cure. Curing improves fuel consumption, produces a cleaner burn and reduces smoke emissions.
- Approximately 25 piles near Trumpeter Mountain, southwest of Anahim Lake in the area of the 2023 wildfire VA1456.
- Approximately 10 piles near Anahim Peak, northwest of Anahim Lake in the area of the 2023 wildfire C51571.
- Approximately 10 piles near Hell Raving Creek, south of Bluff Lake in the area of the 2023 wildfire C52978.
- Approximately five piles near Satah Mountain, east of Anahim Lake in the area of the 2023 wildfire C51562.
- Approximately 60 piles near Beef Trail Creek, north of Anahim Lake in the area of the 2025 wildfire C51672.
- Approximately 35 piles near Dusty Lake, north of Nimpo Lake in the area of the 2025 wildfires C51880 & C51738.
- Approximately 100 piles on the Smokey Forest Service Road, north of Tatla Lake in the area of the 2025 wildfire C51730.
- Approximately 30 piles near Martin Lake, north of Tatla Lake in the area of the 2025 wildfire C50627.
- Approximately 35 piles near Klinaklini River, southwest of Tatla Lake in the area of the 2025 wildfire C51704.
- Approximately 50 piles near Luck Mountain, northwest of Puntzi Lake in the area of the 2025 wildfire C51874.
- Approximately 15 piles near Anah Lake, north of Alexis Creek in the area of the 2025 wildfire C50222.
- Approximately 25 piles between Highway 20 and Tatla Lake in the area of the 2025 wildfire C51843.
What to expect
- Crews will ignite piles using hand torches under favourable conditions and will closely monitor all fire activity.
- Burning may occur over multiple days, as weather and site conditions allow.
- Burn areas will be revisited in late winter to ensure they are fully extinguished.
- Smoke and flames may be visible to surrounding communities.
Objectives of wildfire rehabilitation projects
- Remove the accumulation of non-merchantable woody debris and unutilized log decks from wildfire impacted areas.
- Remove hazardous fuels due to previous wildfire activity in the area.
- Support ongoing wildfire rehabilitation and post wildfire hazard abatement obligations as defined under the Wildfire Act & Regulation.
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 and wildfire risk reduction projects, to help reduce the severity of future wildfires and related threats to communities. To learn more about wildfire rehabilitation please visit the BCWS Wildfire Land-Based Recovery page here: Wildfire Land-Based Recovery – Province of British Columbia
As we get further into the cooler weather, you may see smoke in your area from open burning activities. Open burning can be expected to be seen from the fall through to the spring as the wildfire risk is lower. Overnight recoveries and relative humidities are higher and therefore, not conducive to fires burning or at high risk of spreading throughout this time of year.
The interactive Open Fire Tracking System (OFTS) Registered Burns and Prescribed Fire Map allows anyone to see the locations of all active registered burn projects, as well as any that expired in the last seven days across B.C. Access the Open Fire Tracking System map here: OFTS Registered Burns and Prescribed Fire Map.
Contact
Rory Colwell, RFT
Wildfire Rehabilitation Coordinator
Cariboo-Chilcotin Natural Resource District
Ministry of Forests
Phone: 778-799-2102
Email: Rory.Colwell@gov.bc.ca
Connect with the Province of B.C. at www.gov.bc.ca/connect