SMITHERS – The BC Wildfire Service will be supporting Wilp Nikate’en in conducting a cultural burn project at Anderson Flats in South Hazelton. This project is a collaborative effort between the Wilp, the Gitxsan Laxyip Management Office, the Village of Hazelton and BCWS.

The total area to be burned is approximately 9.4 hectares. The exact timing of the burn will depend on weather and site conditions, but may occur anytime between Mon., Mar. 30 and Sun., May 17. Smoke will likely be visible from South Hazelton and surrounding areas, and to motorists travelling along Highway 16.

The purpose of this cultural burn is to increase the productivity of cultural food and medicinal plant species. The burn will reduce the risk of wildfire on the land by removing dead and combustible material and will help promote a healthy ecosystem by preventing the forest and invasive species from encroaching.

This burn will expand the knowledge and experience to conduct cultural burning among Wilp Nikate’en while working with BCWS to build trust and capacity. It will also be used to demonstrate the benefits of cultural burning.

This project has been carefully planned and will only go ahead at the right time and under the right conditions to ensure community and practitioner safety.  

Contact:

BC Wildfire Service
Information Officer
Northwest Fire Centre
BCWS.NWFCInfo@gov.bc.ca
250-876-6844

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