WILLIAMS LAKE – The City of Williams Lake and Williams Lake First Nation, with support of BC Wildfire Service, plan to conduct four prescribed burns within the city limits of Williams Lake to reduce wildfire risk in the area.

When and where

• These prescribed burns will cover a combined 18 hectares.
  • Eight hectares in the Stampede Park Grounds
  • Two hectares in Hillside Park adjacent to Lake City Secondary Campus
  • One hectare at the water tower hill on Gibbon Street
  • Seven hectares in the dairy fields
• Ignitions will begin on Saturday, April 5, continuing until Sunday, April 6.

Ignitions will only proceed if conditions are safe, with favorable weather and atmospheric venting allowing smoke to clear quickly.

What to expect

• Smoke and flames will be highly visible from various vantage points in the city and to motorists traveling along Highways 97 and 20.
• Crews will ignite ground fuels to remove combustible materials and mimic a naturally occurring wildland fire.
• While burning is underway, traffic control will be on-site to ensure the safety of public and firefighters, short delays may occur.
• Fires will be extinguished at the end of the day with on-site monitoring through the evening.
• Smoke from within the perimeter of the burn may be visible up to 48 hours after ignition.

Objectives of these prescribed burns

• Reduce wildfire risk within the City of Williams Lake.
• Strengthen collaboration between BC Wildfire Service and local firefighters outside of emergency response situations.

Minimizing health impacts from smoke

Exposure to smoke from wildfires or prescribed burning can irritate eyes and respiratory tracts and worsen pre-existing lung and heart conditions. If your area is impacted by smoke:

• Manage pre-existing conditions, and seek medical care if you have severe symptoms.
• Reduce the length and intensity of outdoor activities.
• Run portable air cleaners with windows and doors closed. Both commercial and home-made units (https://rb.gy/90uh5s) can be effective if operated properly.

Learn about protecting your health from smoke online: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/prevention-public-health/wildfire-smoke

Learn more

Fire is a 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 reduce the severity of future wildfires and related threats to communities.

Learn more about prescribed burning online at prescribedfire.ca.

To report a wildfire, dial *5555 on a cell phone or call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free. To report an unattended campfire or open burning violation, call the RAPP line on 1 877 952-7277.

You can also use the Report function in the BC Wildfire App to report a wildfire. Reporting though the app let’s you upload images and can be used without service.

For the latest information on current wildfire activity, prohibitions and restrictions, road closures, and air-quality advisories please visit BCWildfire.ca, the BC Wildfire Map, or use the BC Wildfire app.

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Fire Information Officer

BC Wildfire Service, Cariboo Fire Centre

778 799-2100

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