CASTLEGAR – The BC Wildfire Service will be supporting the Regional District of Central Kootenay and Kalesnikoff Lumber Company in conducting a prescribed burn covering up to 65.2 hectares in the Selous Creek area of the Southeast Fire Centre, about two kilometres south of Nelson, to help reduce wildfire threats.

Smoke may impact residents near the burn area and may be visible from Nelson and surrounding areas, and to motorists travelling along Highway 6 and 3A.

The exact timing of this burn will depend on weather and site conditions, but it could begin as early as Friday, May 5, 2023. Burning will proceed if conditions are suitable and allow for smoke dispersal during burn operations, though smoke may also linger in the following days. Since 2017, this project has been an example of the high level of collaboration between regional and municipal governments, fire services and a local timber licensee.

Key goals of this prescribed burn include:

• preparing the site for replanting,
• returning a natural and necessary process to the land base, and
• removing forest fuels to reduce the long-term risk of wildfire.

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.

BC Wildfire Service personnel adhere to COVID-19 public health orders and guidelines to ensure that operations can continue safely throughout the province.

To report a wildfire, unattended campfire, or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 tollfree or *5555 on a cellphone. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air-quality advisories, visit: http://www.bcwildfire.ca

Follow the latest wildfire news:

• on the free BC Wildfire Service public mobile app, available for Apple (iOS) and Android devices
• on Twitter
• on Facebook

Contact:

Gerald Cordeiro
Forest Development Manager
Kalesnikoff Lumber Company Ltd.
250 304-4485
referrals@kalesnikoff.com

BC Wildfire Service
Fire Information Officer
Southeast Fire Centre
250 587-0661

Dan Elliott
Communications Coordinator
Regional District of Central Kootenay
250 354-3476
delliott@rdck.bc.ca

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