Prescribed burn planned for Matthew Creek



CASTLEGAR – To help reduce the risk of wildfires, the BC Wildfire Service is supporting City of Kimberley in conducting a prescribed burn in the Matthew Creek area. This burn is located approximately eight kilometres southwest of the City of Kimberley 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, April 23, 2024. Smoke may impact residents near the burn area and may be visible from the City of Kimberley, surrounding communities, and to motorists travelling along Highway 95A and St. Mary Lake Road.

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.

The goal of this prescribed burn is to improve community wildfire protection by reducing fuels in the City of Kimberley wildland urban interface.

Key goals include:

  • Reduce accumulations of dead wood and other combustible material,
  • Delay the growth of competing vegetation, and
  • Decrease the risk of future 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 reduce the severity of future wildfires and related threats to communities. 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 cellphone. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air-quality advisories, visit: bcwildfire.ca.

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

Will Booth
Fire Chief, Kimberley Fire Department
City of Kimberley
250 427-9687
wbooth@kimberley.ca