WILLIAMS LAKE – The Yunesit’in Government in partnership with BC Wildfire Service will be conducting a prescribed burn on the west boundary of Yunesit’in IR, at approximately 3 kilometres along the Deer Creek FSR. The burn location is approximately 7 kilometres west of the Yunesit’in community and 25 kilometres east of Alexis Creek, on the south side of the Chilcotin River.
The prescribed burn is about 88 hectares in size. Burning is anticipated to take place on October 18-19, 2022. Burning will proceed if conditions are suitable and allow for smoke dispersal during burn operations, though light smoke may also linger in the following days. This fire will be closely monitored at all times.
Smoke and flames from this burn will be highly visible from Yunesit’in, Highway 20 and surrounding areas.
The purpose of this prescribed burn is to:
- Mitigate the wildfire risks to the community by decreasing the fuel load (combustible material such as underbrush and dead wood) on the landscape.
- Reduce the intensity of future wildfires in the area so they are safer and easier to suppress.
- Restore the open forest structure through the removal of small encroaching trees and shrubs.
- Promote the growth of native plant species post-burn.
- Improve habitat and forage opportunities for wildlife.
A factsheet about prescribed burns and ecosystem restoration burns is available online at: https://news.gov.bc.ca/factsheets/prescribed-burns-reduce-wildfire-risks.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone.
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Contact:
Fire Information Officer
BC Wildfire Service
Cariboo Fire Centre
778 799-2100
Connect with the Province of B.C. at www.gov.bc.ca/connect