Prescribed burn planned within Williams Lake Community Forest



WILLIAMS LAKE – The BC Wildfire Service will be working in partnership with the Williams Lake Community Forest and Williams Lake First Nation to conduct a prescribed burn approximately 10 kilometres west of Williams Lake beside the Fraser River. The prescribed burn will cover approximately 40 hectares within the Williams Lake Community Forest.

Burning is expected to begin March 30, 2024, and continue periodically until April 4, 2024. Ignitions will proceed if conditions are suitable and allow for quick smoke dissipation. Smoke will be visible from Williams Lake and surrounding areas and to motorists travelling on Highway 20.

This burn is the continuation of a spacing treatment that was previously completed to reduce stand density and create a more open and fire-resilient forest. A low to moderate intensity surface fire will be lit within pre-established boundaries to remove combustible materials and mimic a naturally occurring ground fire. The objective of the prescribed burn is to consume ground fuel and promote the growth of local plant species while reducing wildfire risk.

The BC Wildfire Service will be working on-site to prepare, control and monitor the fire. This project is a continuation of a relationship with Williams Lake First Nation to increase capacity and knowledge in cultural and prescribed burning.

Additional information on Cultural Burning and Prescribed Fire is available on our website as well as on prescribedfire.ca.

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
Cariboo Fire Centre
BC Wildfire Service
778 799-2100

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