WILLIAMS LAKE - On behalf of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson, Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett is advising that the prescribed burns are planned in the Riske Creek/Becher Prairie area between April 11 and May 30, weather conditions permitting.

The burns are planned for ecosystem restoration purposes. The Riske Creek/Becher Prairie area burns will cover an estimated 200 hectares about 50 kilometres west of Williams Lake and north of Highway 20, possibly affecting visibility for highway traffic.

Historically, the grasslands in the Cariboo-Chilcotin were renewed through frequent, low-intensity ground fires. Such fires prevented tree encroachment, rejuvenated understory plants and maintained more open grasslands and forests with large trees. The reintroduction of managed, low-intensity ground fires to these grasslands is intended to restore and maintain the traditional grassland plant communities that are natural for these areas.

This fire is part of an ongoing restoration program administered by the provincial government in collaboration with First Nations, local ranchers, Grasslands Conservation Council, B.C. Wildlife Federation, and the Cariboo-Chilcotin Conservation Society.

FACTSHEET

April 8, 2011 Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations

Prescribed Burning as an Ecosystem Management Tool

* Fire is a normal, natural process in many of British Columbia's ecosystems. Many species of birds, insects, plants and animals depend on fire for its regenerative properties.

* Fires help control insects and diseases in forests, and lead to forest succession (younger forests replacing older forests) to create a patchwork of forest ages, which supports biodiversity.

* Prescribed burning is one of the tools used by forest professionals to achieve certain objectives for land management. For example, using fire is appropriate for habitat enhancement, to improve forage for cattle, deer, bighorn sheep and moose, and to reduce fuel loads for interface fire risk reduction.

* Prescribed burns are carefully planned so that their intensity and size meets the prescribed management objectives for fire maintained ecosystems.

* All prescribed burns must comply with the Environmental Management Act's open burning smoke control regulation, which is in place to minimize the amount of smoke created. For example, burns may be ignited only on days when the venting index indicates smoke will not be trapped close to the ground. The regulation also requires the open flames to be out in 96 hours.

* Prescribed burns are ignited weather-permitting to ensure the fire does not create excessive smoke, and to help ensure the fire does not get out of control. Elements important in determining the date of a burn include the venting index, temperature, humidity and forecast winds.

* Prescribed burns are ignited and continuously monitored and attended by trained crews. The Burn Boss is responsible for making sure prescribed conditions will be met on ignition and to ensure the fire is extinguished to reduce unnecessary smouldering and to ensure it does not reignite.

Contact:

Jenny Fremlin
Fire Information Officer
Wildfire Management Branch
Cariboo Fire Centre
250 989-2665
jenny.fremlin@gov.bc.ca