CASTLEGAR – To help reduce wildfire threats, the BC Wildfire Service will be supporting the yaqan nu?kiy – Lower Kootenay Band, in conducting an ecosystem restoration prescribed burn. This yaqan nu?kiy lead burn is located on Creston IR1 along the Kootenay River, approximately 4.6 kilometres south of the Town of Creston and will cover up to 20 hectares.
The exact timing of this burn will depend on weather and site conditions, but it could begin as early as Tuesday, September 17, 2024.
Smoke may impact residents near the burn area and will be highly visible from the Town of Creston and surrounding communities, and to motorists travelling along Highway 21.
Burning will proceed if conditions are suitable to achieve objectives and allow for smoke dispersal, though smoke may linger in the following days, particularly the morning after burn operations. Despite all precautions to manage it, unintended smoke impacts are possible after any burn.
Key goals of this prescribed burn include:
- Reduce accumulations of dead wood and other combustible material
- Promote ecological biodiversity while delaying the growth of competing vegetation
- Reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires in the 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 achieve land management objectives, reduce the severity of future wildfires and increase ecosystem and wildfire resilience. Learn more about prescribed burning online: prescribedfire.ca.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air-quality advisories, visit: bcwildfire.ca.
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Contact:
Victoria Dekker, Community Sustainability Planner
Lower Kootenay Band
250-428-4428 ext.3928
victoria.dekker@lowerkootenay.com
Fire Information Officer
BC Wildfire Service – Southeast Fire Centre
205 318-7715
BCWS.SEFCInformationOfficer@gov.bc.ca