Wildfire risk reduction prescribed burn planned for Bond Lake area



Williams Lake – The BC Wildfire Service will be supporting the Williams Lake First Nations and the Cariboo Chilcotin Forest District, in conducting a prescribed burn covering up to 137 hectares within the Bond Lake area to help reduce wildfire threats.

Smoke may impact residents near the burn area and may be visible from Williams Lake and surrounding communities, and to motorists travelling along Dog Creek Rd, Bond Lake Rd and Highway 20.

The exact timing of this burn will depend on weather and site conditions, but it could begin as early as Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022. Burning will proceed if conditions are suitable and allow for smoke dispersal during burn operations, though light smoke may also linger in the following days.

Key goals of this prescribed burn include:

  • to reintroduce fire ecology to the stand through a low intensity burn
  • to conduct fuel management treatments adjacent to areas of high values and moderate structure density to reduce potential crown fire initiation, fire intensity and crown fire spread
  • to alter stand structure and surface fuel levels to allow for future broadcast burning in 20 years after secondary stand structure of juvenile trees is established and able to withstand surface fires, in accordance with Fuel Management Prescriptions for the burn area

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 burns), to help reduce the severity of future wildfires and related threats to communities.

Learn more about prescribed burning online: http://ow.ly/20Su50Ax89j

These prescribed burns will also allow the Williams Lake First Nation fire crews and BC Wildfire Service to work together outside of emergency response activities, which is important for strengthening inter-agency coordination.

BC Wildfire Service personnel adhere to COVID-19 public health orders and guidelines to ensure that operations can continue safely throughout the province.

To report a wildfire, unattended campfire, or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air-quality advisories, visit: http://www.bcwildfire.ca

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Contact:

BC Wildfire Service

Fire Information Officer

Cariboo Fire Centre

778 799-2100