MERRITT – The BC Wildfire Service, in partnership with the Upper Nicola Band and Upper Nicola Fire Department, will be conducting two prescribed burns northeast of Merritt.

Both prescribed burns could begin as early as March 11, 2024, and continue until mid-April 2024 or until grass is too green to burn. The work completed will be dependent on local weather and venting conditions, and burning will not be done unless conditions are favorable.

The first project is 314 hectares in size and and located approximately 33 kilometres northeast of Merritt. Smoke may be visible to residents of Douglas Lake.

The second project is approximately 23 kilometres northeast of Merritt – adjacent to Quilchena. The prescribed burn will be up to 79 hectares in size. The start and end dates of this project will also be dependent on local weather and venting conditions in the area. Smoke from this project may be visible to Quilchena and Nicola Lake residents, as well as travelers along Highway 5A at Quilchena.

The objectives of these projects are to reduce the build-up of dead grass and promote the growth of traditional foods, to aid in community protection through the removal of fuel in Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) areas, and to provide critical cross training opportunities for BC Wildfire Service Personnel, the Upper Nicola Band and Upper Nicola Fire Department.

Learn More:

For more information on the importance of Cultural Burning and Prescribed Fire, please visit: prescribedfire.ca

Contact:

Fire Information Officer
Kamloops Fire Centre
BC Wildfire Service
250 554-5965
BCWS.KFCInformationOfficer@gov.bc.ca