CASTLEGAR – The BC Wildfire Service will be supporting land managers across the Southeast Fire Centre with prescribed burn operations this Spring. These burns are planned to take place throughout the region to support a range of objectives, including ecosystem restoration, wildfire risk reduction, and site preparation.
Spring 2026 prescribed burns by zone
N1: Cranbrook
| Burn name | Reference geographic | Size in hectares (ha) | Goals |
| Bull River | Wardner | 22 ha | Site preparation |
N2: Invermere Zone
| Burn name | Reference geographic | Size in hectares (ha) | Goals |
| Lot 48 | Columbia Lake | 98 ha | Wildfire risk reduction and ecosystem restoration |
| Dry Gulch | Dry Gulch Provincial Park | 7 ha | Wildfire risk reduction and ecosystem restoration |
| Kootenay River Ranch | Canal Flats | 23 ha | Ecosystem restoration |
| South Invermere (DL4616) | Invermere | 28 ha | Wildfire risk reduction |
N5: Arrow Zone
| Burn name | Reference geographic | Size in hectares (ha) | Goals |
| Deer Park Mountain | Deer Park | 450 ha | Ecosystem restoration |
N7: Kootenay Lake Zone
| Burn name | Reference geographic | Size in hectares (ha) | Goals |
| Grasslands Cottonwoods | Creston | 20 ha | Ecosystem restoration |
| Springs Creek | Playmor Junction | 18.4 ha | Wildfire risk reduction |
| Slater Creek | Harrop-Procter | 20 ha | Wildfire risk reduction |
This is not an exhaustive list; new or additional prescribed burns can be added and others removed depending on weather and site conditions.
As burn windows are identified, individual information bulletins will be released with project details, including potential burn windows, locations, and objectives. Updates on prescribed burns taking place throughout the Southeast region can be found on BCWildfire.ca under latest news.
For prescribed burn operations to happen, weather and site conditions must align to create what is known as a “burn window.” Crews monitor current and forecast weather, fuel moisture levels, and other site conditions to determine when that window has opened.
These conditions are outlined in an approved burn plan to help ensure objectives such as wildfire risk reduction and ecosystem restoration can be achieved, while also minimizing the risk of fire spread and smoke impacts. If a suitable burn window is not identified this spring, burns that are not completed will be postponed until the fall or the following year.
The interactive Open Fire Tracking System (OFTS) Registered Burns and Prescribed Fire Map allows anyone to see the locations of all active registered burn projects, as well as any that expired in the last seven days across B.C. Access the Open Fire Tracking System map here: OFTS Registered Burns and Prescribed Fire Map.
Safety is the top priority when planning and implementing a prescribed burn. Every prescribed burn requires a burn plan, and all burn plans identify specific objectives and clearly outline required elements. This can include things like weather conditions, equipment, mitigation plans, and post-fire monitoring. Watch this video to learn more:
Report a wildfire
The Southeast Fire Centre would like to thank the public for its continuing help in preventing wildfires.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire, or open burning violation, dial *5555 on a cell phone or call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free. You can also report a wildfire using the BC Wildfire App Report a fire function. Reporting through the app lets you upload images and can be used without service.
Stay up-to-date with the latest wildfire news
- BCWildfire.ca
- BC Wildfire Map
- BC Wildfire App: Apple (iOS) or Android
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Contact
Fire Information Officer
BC Wildfire Service
Southeast Fire Centre
250 318-7715