Prescribed burn planned within the City of Nelson



CASTLEGAR – The BC Wildfire Service is supporting the City of Nelson and the Nelson Fire and Rescue Services in conducting a hazard reduction prescribed burn located within city limits.

The burn will cover up to 1.8 hectares targeting the continuous grass cover next to the Highway 6 and Highway 3A interchange. The exact timing of the burn will depend on weather and site conditions but could start as early as Tuesday, April 2, 2024.

Smoke may impact residents near the burn area and will be visible from the City of Nelson Smoke will also be visible to motorists travelling along the Highway 6 and Highway 3A interchange.

No road or lane closures are planned, though the highway will be continuously monitored for the duration of the burn. We ask that people do not slow or stop on the highway to watch burn operations as this can create unsafe conditions for both staff and travelers.

Burning will proceed if conditions are suitable to achieve objectives and allow for smoke dispersal. Despite all precautions to manage it, unintended smoke impacts are possible after any burn.

Key goals of this prescribed burn are to increase community safety through a reduction of hazardous fuels. This includes:

  • Reducing the build-up of continuous, matted grass cover
  • Reducing ember receptivity
  • Reducing the risk of potential human-caused fires in this area, and
  • Protecting this key evacuation corridor

This burn will also provide a training opportunity that will increase the capacity of the Nelson Fire and Rescue Services to respond to future wildfires within 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 achieve land management objectives, reduce the severity of future wildfires and increase ecosystem and wildfire resilience. 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:

Wildfire Resilience Program Coordinator
Nelson Fire and Rescue Services
250 352-8116

Fire Information Officer
Southeast Fire Centre
BC Wildfire Service
250 318-7715