PENTICTON – The BC Wildfire Service, Penticton Indian Band and Okanagan Nation Alliance will be conducting a 40 hectare prescribed burn as part of the multi-year Munro prescribed burn project, located about five kilometres southwest of Peachland, adjacent to the Munro Lake FSR wildfire. This project is implemented with support from Gorman Brothers Ltd., the Okanagan Shuswap Resource District, and Westbank First Nation.
The purpose of this prescribed burn is to:
- provide a level of community protection from wildfire by reducing fuel
- restore the ecosystem, including mule deer winter range
- enhance Indigenous cultural values in the area while also supporting the traditional use of fire as a tool to improve the landscape
This project originated in 2018 with a project team of representatives from all partners. A total of 180 hectares of the project were identified and divided into four treatment units, one being a small portion of the Westbank First Nation Community Forest. Treatment units were completed in 2022 and 2024, and one of the units was burned during a planned ignition operation on the Munro Lake FSR wildfire. Learn more about the difference between planned ignitions and prescribed fire at Prescribedfire.ca. This 40 hectare prescribed burn will be the final treatment unit of this project.
Smoke and flames may be visible from Peachland, Summerland, Kelowna, Penticton, Naramata and surrounding areas, and to travellers along Highways 97 and 97C. For information about road conditions near this project, please visit www.drivebc.ca. Preparation work for this prescribed burn could start as early as October 6, 2025, until November 30, 2025. The exact timing of the burn will be dependent on weather, site and venting conditions. Ignition will proceed only if conditions are suitable and will allow for quick smoke dissipation. The Penticton Indian Band and the BC Wildfire Service will carefully control and monitor the fire at all times.
Fire is a normal and natural process in many of B.C.’s ecosystems. The BC Wildfire Service works regularly with a range of partners to undertake fuel management activities (including the use of controlled burns), to help reduce the severity of future wildfires and related threats to communities. These projects are carefully planned and only go ahead at the right times and under the right conditions to ensure community and practitioner safety.
Visit the BC Wildfire Service Cultural and prescribed fire webpage for more information.
Exposure to smoke can irritate eyes and respiratory tracts and worsen pre-existing lung and heart conditions. If your area is impacted by smoke:
- Run portable air cleaners with windows and doors closed, both commercial and home-made units (https://rb.gy/90uh5s) can be effective if operated properly.
- Reduce the length and intensity of outdoor activities
- Manage pre-existing conditions and seek medical care if you have severe symptoms
Learn more about protecting health from smoke online: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/prevention-public-health/wildfire-smoke.
You can follow the latest wildfire news on:
- the free BC Wildfire Service app, available for Apple (iOS) and Android devices
Facebook at: http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo
Contact:
James Pepper
Natural Resources Director
Penticton Indian Band
250-492-0411 | jpepper@pib.ca
Cailyn Glasser
Natural Resources Manager
Okanagan Nation Alliance
250 469 1595 | cglasser@syilx.org
Kamloops Fire Centre
Fire Information Officer
BC Wildfire Service
250 554-5965 | KFCINFO@gov.bc.ca
Connect with the Province of B.C. at www.gov.bc.ca/connect