Ecosystem restoration burn planned for Kootenay River Ranch

CASTLEGAR – The BC Wildfire Service will be supporting the Nature Conservancy of Canada in conducting an ecosystem restoration burn in the Kootenay River Ranch area. This is a multi-year project with varying sized units, located approximately eight kilometres south of the community of Canal Flats, adjacent to Highway 93/95.

The exact timing of this burn will depend on weather and site conditions, but it could begin as early as Friday, September 18, 2026.

Smoke may be visible from Canal Flats, Fort Steele, and surrounding areas. Smoke may also be noticeable to motorists travelling along Highway 93/95.

Key goals of this prescribed burn include:

Enhance wildlife habitat
Support water quality
Address forest health issues associated with overly dense tree stands
Reduce the risk of wildfires in the area

This project will likely be implemented by Kootenay ʔa·kinq̓uku TREX participants. Kootenay ʔa·kinq̓uku TREX is a prescribed fire training exchange co-hosted by Ktunaxa Nation and the BC Wildfire Service, with support from the First Nations’ Emergency Services Society and UBCO’s Canadian Prescribed Fire Training Program. Safety is always our top priority and participants in this training exchange will be working alongside experienced BC Wildfire Service staff and with guidance from local partners and project proponents.

Burning will only proceed if conditions are suitable to achieve objectives and allow for appropriate smoke dispersal, though smoke may linger in the following days, particularly the morning after burn operations. Despite all smoke management precautions, unintended smoke impacts are possible after any burn. For more information on wildfire smoke impacts and how you can protect yourself, visit the BC Centre for Disease Control.

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 fire), to help achieve land management objectives, reduce the severity of future wildfires and increase ecosystem and wildfire resilience.

Safety is paramount in all prescribed burn operations. Each burn is guided by a detailed burn plan that defines objectives and outlines key requirements, including weather and fuel conditions, personnel and equipment needs, mitigation measures, and post-fire monitoring. Watch this video to learn more.

Learn more about prescribed burning online at prescribedfire.ca.

Report a wildfire

The Southeast Fire Centre would like to thank the public for its continuing help in preventing wildfires.

You can report a wildfire, unattended campfire, or open burning violation by:

Dialing *5555 on a cell phone
Calling 1 800 663-5555 toll-free
Reporting through the BC Wildfire App Report a fire function
- Reporting through the app lets you upload images and can be used without service.

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Contact

Richard Klafki
Program Director, Canadian Rocky Mountains
Nature Conservancy of Canada
250-688-0365

Fire Information Team
BC Wildfire Service
Southeast Fire Centre
250 318-7715
BCWS.SEFCInfo@gov.bc.ca

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