WILLIAMS LAKE– The BC Wildfire Service will be supporting the Williams Lake Community Forest, in conducting a prescribed burn approximately 10 kilometres west of Williams Lake and 3 kilometres north of Highway 20 to help reduce the wildfire risks in the area.

The prescribed burn will be approximately 20 hectares within the Williams Lake Community Forest. The target area will be the grassland benchmark.

Smoke will be visible from Williams Lake and surrounding areas, and to motorists travelling on Highway 20.

The exact timing of this burn will depend on weather and site conditions, but it could begin as early as Monday, October 17. 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:

• Mitigate wildfire risks by reducing accumulations of forest fuels adjacent to a main egress route and near the wildland urban interface.
• Consume fuels from a slashing treatment to restore a grassland ecosystem, and promote the growth of native plant species

A low- to moderate-intensity surface fire will be lit within pre-established boundaries to remove combustible materials and mimic a naturally occurring ground fire . BC Wildfire Service staff will be working with members of the Williams Lake First Nations to carefully prepare, control, and monitor the fire at all times.

Fire is a normal and natural process in many of B.C.’s ecosystems. The BC Wildfire Service regularly works 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

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

You can follow the latest wildfire news on:
• On the free BC Wildfire Service public mobile app, available for Apple (iOS) and Android devices
• Twitter at: http://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo
• Facebook at: http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo

Contact:

Fire Information Officer
BC Wildfire Service
Cariboo Fire Centre
778 799-2100

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