Prescribed Burn planned for Grassy Mountain area



CASTLEGAR – To help reduce the risk of wildfires, the BC Wildfire Service is supporting BC Timber Sales in conducting a prescribed burn in the Grassy Mountain area. This burn is located approximately 12.5 kilometres northwest of the community of Salmo and will cover up to 22.6 hectares.

The exact timing of this burn will depend on weather and site conditions, but it could begin as early as Wednesday, May 28, 2025. Blacklining operations may begin as early as this afternoon, Tuesday, May 27. Blacklining is when fuels are pre-burnt in small sections next to the burn perimeter to reinforce containment lines.

Key goals include:

  • Long-term fire hazard abatement by reducing fuel loading
  • Increase the survival of newly planted seedlings
  • Increase long-term nutrient cycling and biodiversity
  • Contribute to landscape level fuel break and wildfire mitigation efforts

Smoke may impact residents near the burn area and may be visible from Castlegar, Salmo and surrounding communities, and to motorists travelling along Highway 3 and Highway 6.

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.

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. These projects are carefully planned and only go ahead at the right times and under the right conditions to ensure community and practitioner safety.

This Cultural Burning and Prescribed Fire YouTube video is an excellent resource to learn more about importance of cultural and prescribed fire practices.

Learn more about prescribed burning online at prescribedfire.ca.

To report a wildfire, unattended campfire, or open burning violation, dial *5555 on a cell phone or call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free. You can also report a wildfire using 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:

Karen Schening RPF
Practices Forester
BC Timber Sales – Kootenay Business Area – Ministry of Forests
778-364-1171
Karen.Schening@gov.bc.ca

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

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