Yaqan nu?iky (Lower Kootenay Band), with support from the BC Wildfire Service, is planning a prescribed burn on nine hectares on Creston IR1 along Highway 21 south of Creston in the coming days.
Weather permitting, the burn could begin as early as Monday, March 18.
Smoke may impact residents near the burn area and may be visible from Creston and surrounding communities, as well as people travelling along Highway 3 and Highway 21.
Burning will proceed if conditions are suitable to achieve objectives and allow for smoke dispersal, though smoke may linger in the following days, particularly the morning after burn operations. Despite all precautions to manage it, unintended smoke impacts are possible after any burn.
Key goals of this prescribed burn include reducing the accumulations of dead wood and other combustible material; delaying the growth of competing vegetation, and reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires in the area.
Additionally, this burn will also provide a training opportunity between the BC Wildfire Service, yaqan nu?iky - Lower Kootenay Band, and the Creston Fire Rescue.
Fire is a normal and natural process in many of B.C.’s ecosystems.
The BC Wildfire Service works regularly with land managers to undertake fuel management activities (including the use of prescribed burns), to help achieve land management objectives, reduce the severity of future wildfires and increase ecosystem and wildfire resilience.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air-quality advisories, visit: bcwildfire.ca