Prescribed burn planned for Selous Creek area



CASTLEGAR – To help reduce the wildfire risk in the wildland urban interface, the BC Wildfire Service is supporting the Kalesnikoff Lumber Company and the Regional District of Central Kootenay in conducting a prescribed burn in the Selous Creek area.

This burn is located approximately two kilometres south of the City of Nelson on the east side of Hwy 6 and will cover up to 38 hectares.

The exact timing of this burn will depend on weather and site conditions, but it could begin as early as Monday, April 22, 2024. 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.

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,
  • Returning a natural and necessary process to the land base, and
  • Decrease the the long-term risk of wildfires in the area.

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 to reduce wildfire risk in the wildland urban interface.

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

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

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