Prescribed burn to reduce wildfire risk along Highway 20



WILLIAMS LAKE – The BC Wildfire Service in partnership with the Tŝilhqot’in communities, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, BC Parks, Cariboo-Chilcotin Natural Resource District and BC Hydro plans to continue a series of prescribed burns along the Highway 20 right-of-way.

This is a continuation of prescribed burns that occurred in the spring of 2022 along Highway- 20. Burning may begin as early as Oct. 12, 2022 and will continue periodically until Nov. 30, 2022. 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.

Over the next several weeks firefighters will burn in sections along the Highway 20 right-of-way from the Hanceville Lookout, westward to the western boundary of Tsiyi (Bull Canyon park).

Purpose of this prescribed burn:

  • Remove combustible materials and mimic a naturally occurring ground fire within the right-of-way
  • Protect infrastructure along a section of Highway 20
  • Partner with Tŝilhqot’in fire crews to work together outside of emergency response activities and strengthen inter-agency coordination
  • Monitor impact of fire on invasive species along the Highway 20 corridor

While burn operations are underway, traffic control will be on-site to ensure the safety of the public and firefighters.

BC Wildfire Service staff and Tŝilhqot’in fire crews will carefully prepare, control, and monitor the fires at all times. Smoke and flames from this prescribed burn may be visible from Yuneŝit’in, Tl’etinqox, Alexis Creek, Highway 20, and surrounding areas.

Learn More

Prescribed burning is an effective tool which decreases the amount of fuel (i.e. cured grass and

woody debris) available for wildfire consumption. A factsheet about prescribed burns and ecosystem restoration burns is available online: 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:

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