OSOYOOS \u2013 The BC Wildfire Service and BC Parks are working collaboratively with the Lower Similkameen Indian Band to conduct phase II of a cultural burn covering up to approximately 165 hectares in the western section of the South Okanagan Grasslands Protected area. This project is being implemented with support from the BC Wildlife Federation. The project area is located about 16 kilometres west of Osoyoos, northwest of the Canada Chopaka and United States Nighthawk Port of Entry. The project area lies within the traditional area of the sm\u0259lqmix people and is known as ksisq’iwas (A Split Between the Mountains), nm\u0259lqitk\u02b7 (Similkameen River) to the west, the c\u0259\u0315k\u02b7\u0315nc\u0295an (Pulling Together Travel Trail) to the north, ak\u026cp\u0295as (Place of the Nighthawk).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Smoke may be visible from Osoyoos, Chopaka, Keremeos, Cawston and surrounding areas and to motorists travelling along Highway 3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The exact timing of this burn will depend on weather and site conditions, but it could begin as early as October 2, 2026. Burning will proceed if conditions are suitable and allow for smoke dispersal during burn operations, though smoke may also linger in the following days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Key goals of this cultural burn include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The reduction of sagebrush cover will support an increase in the growth of native grass communities with Sandberg\u2019s bluegrass, Bluebunch wheatgrass, needle and thread grass, and Idaho fescue as well as other culturally important plants such as sp’i\u019b’m (bitterroot) and sm\u0259tsnal\u0259k\u02b7 (desert parsley). Grassland maintenance through cultural burning also reduces fuel loading which decreases the wildfire risk during the hot, dry summer months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Cultural Burning and Prescribed Fire YouTube is an excellent resource to learn more about prescribed and cultural fire. <\/p>\n\n\n\n