Prescribed burning is planned east of Vernon in the Satellite Hill, Woodward Creek and South Fork areas between March 28 and May 15, 2013, weather conditions permitting.

This controlled burning will assist with ecosystem restoration and will occur in several phases during this period. The burns will be conducted by Wildfire Management Branch crews and staff from the Okanagan Shuswap Natural Resource District.

The Satellite Hill burn area covers an estimated 36 hectares, approximately six kilometres south of Lumby and Highway 6 in the Harris Creek area.

The Woodward Creek burn area covers an estimated 15 hectares, approximately 20 kilometres west of Lumby, north of Highway 6.

The South Fork burn area covers an estimated 32 hectares, approximately 12.5 kilometres east of Cherryville, north of Highway 6.

Historically, grasslands and open forests in the Okanagan have been renewed through frequent, low-intensity ground fires. Such fires limit tree encroachment, rejuvenate understory plants (trees and shrubs that grow beneath the forest canopy but above ground-cover plants) and maintain open grassland and open forests containing large trees.

The reintroduction of managed, low-intensity ground fires to these grasslands and open forests is intended to restore and maintain plant communities that are native to these areas.

These prescribed burns are part of an ongoing ecosystem restoration program administered by the government of British Columbia in collaboration with local ranchers, various outdoor organizations, the Shuswap Okanagan Forest Association, the Forum for Research and Extension in Natural Resources, the B.C. Wildlife Federation and the Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia.

A factsheet follows.

Contact:

Brennan Clarke
Public Affairs Officer
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261

FACTSHEET

Prescribed burning used as ecosystem management tool

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

• Fire helps control insects and the spread of disease in forests. It also contributes to forest succession, as younger trees replace older trees. Having trees of various ages in a forest helps creates biodiversity.

• Prescribed burning is one of the tools used by forest professionals to achieve land management objectives. For example, fire can be used to enhance habitat and improve forage for cattle, deer, bighorn sheep and moose. A controlled burn also can reduce fuel loads (combustible material such as underbrush and dead wood) and reduce the risk of wildfire in interface areas (where urban development borders on rural areas).

• The size and intensity of prescribed burns are carefully planned and controlled to meet management objectives for fire-maintained ecosystems. Prescribed burns are only ignited when weather conditions are favourable and when the fire will not create excessive smoke. Important factors that are used to determine the date of a burn include the venting index, temperature, humidity and wind conditions.

• The venting index is a measure of how quickly smoke will disperse under specific conditions. Prescribed fires may only be ignited on days when the forecast for the venting index is "good" or better.

• All prescribed burns must comply with the Environmental Management Act and the open burning smoke control regulation. This helps minimize the amount of smoke generated.

• A prescribed burn is ignited and continuously monitored by trained firefighting crews to ensure that the fire does not get out of control. The fire crew supervisor (the "burn boss") is responsible for ensuring that the initial burn conditions are favourable and that the fire is extinguished once the prescribed burn is completed.

Contact:

Brennan Clarke
Public Affairs Officer
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261