WILLIAMS LAKE – The Ministry of Forests has contracted Jeremie LeBourdais to carry out wildfire risk reduction fuel management treatments on a 53 hectare area surrounding the Williams Lake Airport. The project area is adjacent to private property.
When and where
- Work started in October and will continue until 2028
- Located south of Airport Road in Williams Lake
- Pile burning may occur periodically until March 2027, when conditions allow
What to expect
- Smoke may be visible to motorists travelling along Highway 97
- Treatments will be completed using both hand and mechanical methods
- Understory trees that contribute to ladder fuels will be selectively thinned, and lower branches on retained trees will be pruned to reduce the potential for wildfire to spread into the forest canopy
Goals of this Wildfire Risk Reduction project include
- Reducing the risk of fire spread from ground to canopy by creating gaps between the larger, mature timber and the smaller understory trees, through understory thinning
- Reducing canopy bulk density by selectively removing some Layer 1 trees (greater than 12.5 centimetres in diameter) in areas where gaps do not already exist. No Layer 1 trees will be removed from the eastern portion of the treatment area (TU 1A), as shown on the map
- Pruning branches on residual conifers up to three metres, or up to 50 per cent of their height, whichever is less
- Reducing the overall fire intensity by removing a portion of the surface fuels
- Reducing wildfire risk while maintaining wildlife habitat by retaining wildlife trees, deciduous trees and coarse woody debris
- Disposing of surface fuels, branches, and thinned conifers via pile burning or utilization
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.
Minimizing health impacts from smoke
Exposure to smoke from wildfires or prescribed burning can irritate eyes and respiratory tracts and worsen pre-existing lung and heart conditions. If your area is impacted by smoke:
- Manage pre-existing conditions, and seek medical care if you have severe symptoms
- Reduce the length and intensity of outdoor activities
- Run portable air cleaners with windows and doors closed, both commercial and home-made units (https://rb.gy/90uh5s) can be effective if operated properly
Learn about protecting your health from smoke online: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/prevention-public-health/wildfire-smoke
Contact
Shelly Harnden
Land and Resource Coordinator
Cariboo-Chilcotin Resource District
250-706-6276
Connect with the Province of B.C. at www.gov.bc.ca/connect