PRINCE GEORGE – The BC Wildfire Service, in conjunction with the District of Vanderhoof, will be conducting controlled burn trials at the Vanderhoof Airport. These trials are an important component of wildfire preparedness and allow the BC Wildfire Service to collect data and monitor fire behaviour in a constructed setting under appropriate conditions.
The exact timing of these burns will depend on weather and site conditions, but could begin as early as Wednesday, April 23, 2025. The burns will be conducted intermittently over the next several weeks.
Smoke may impact residents near the Vanderhoof airport and will be visible from the surrounding areas. Any smoke produced by the burns is, however, expected to quickly dissipate. Burning will only proceed if conditions are suitable to achieve objectives and allow for smoke dispersal, though some smoke may linger.
The key objectives of these burns are operational in nature and include:
- Confirming indices (moisture levels) in different layers of fuel to ensure proper preparedness levels are achieved in the early season,
- Gathering more accurate information for fire behaviour predictions (flame height, rate of spread) under the current conditions (wind speed and direction, humidity levels), and
- Reducing build-up of dried grass within the area
BC Wildfire Service personnel prepare for these trials by setting up water delivery systems and positioning resources and personnel throughout the trial area.
If you believe you are seeing smoke from a wildfire that is not related to this exercise, please report it by calling 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone, or directly through the BC Wildfire Service mobile app.
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Contact:
Mitch Sorensen
VanJam Fire Zone, BC Wildfire Service
Ministry of Forests
250-570-0669
Connect with the Province of B.C. at www.gov.bc.ca/connect