CHILCOTIN – The BC Wildfire Service, in partnership with the Cariboo Chilcotin Natural Resource District, will be conducting a series of five prescribed burns in the Siwash area about 100 kilometres to the west of Williams Lake.
When and where
Burning may begin as early as Wednesday, April 16 and continue periodically until Thursday, May 15, 2025. Burning will only proceed if conditions are safe, with favorable weather and atmospheric venting allowing smoke to clear quickly.
The prescribed burn will take place on about 270 hectares of land west of the community of Yunisit’in and southwest of Alexis Creek. The 270 hectares are split into five treatment areas that will be ignited at different times.
What to expect
Smoke and flames may be visible to nearby residents and travelers on Highway 20. Smoke from within the perimeter of the burn may be visible up to 72 hours after ignition.
Crews will use hand ignitions, with assistance from a drone, to ignite ground fuels. Firefighters will closely monitoring the fire activity at all times during the burn. The perimeter of the burn will be extinguished at the end of each day.
Objectives of the prescribed burn
- Reduce wildfire risk by safely removing excess forest fuels under controlled conditions.
- Help restore natural forest health and encourage a properly functioning ecosystem.
- Return wildfire (historically a natural an necessary process) to the land.
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 or find more resources here.
Learn about protecting your health from smoke online.
Report a fire
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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Contact:
Fire Information Officer
Cariboo Fire Centre
BC Wildfire Service
778-799-2100
CaFCInfo@gov.bc.ca
Connect with the Province of B.C. at www.gov.bc.ca/connect.