WILLIAMS LAKE – The BC Wildfire Service will be supporting Williams Lake First Nation and the Cariboo-Chilcotin Natural Resource District in conducting preparation for a prescribed burn that will be up to 80 hectares within the area of Thunder Mountain Speedway.

The goal of this prescribed burn is to reduce fuel loading through a low intensity burn and support previously completed fuel management treatments.

Preparations will begin as early as April 8, 2024 and may include some small-scale ignitions. Larger scale ignitions will take place when the weather is favorable up until April 26, 2024. The exact timing of the burn will be dependent on weather, site and venting conditions. Ignitions will proceed only if conditions are suitable and allow for quick smoke dissipation.

Smoke will be visible from Williams Lake and surrounding communities, and to motorists travelling along Highway 20, Dog Creek Road, and Bond Lake Road.

This prescribed burn is a collaboration between Williams Lake First Nation, Alkali Resource Management, Cariboo-Chilcotin Natural Resource District and BC Wildfire Service. This facilitates relationship building to grow capacity and knowledge for cultural and prescribed burning.

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: Cultural and prescribed fire – Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)

Human-caused wildfires are completely preventable and divert critical resources away from naturally caused fires. Always practice safe, responsible open fire use.

To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone.

You can follow the latest wildfire news:
• on the free BC Wildfire Service public mobile app, available for Apple (iOS) and Android devices
• on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo
• on Facebook

Contact:
BC Wildfire Service
Fire Information Officer
Cariboo Fire Centre
778 799-2100

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