The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations is planning a prescribed burn this month in the Gilpin Creek and Morrissey Creek areas. The exact timing of the burn will depend on weather and site conditions.

The burn will be conducted about five kilometres east of Grand Forks. Smoke and flames may be visible from locations in Grand Forks and along Highway 3.

This 25-hectare controlled burn is part of the provincial government's strategy to restore and maintain forest and range ecosystems. It will help re-establish appropriate ecological conditions, maintain winter range forage for wildlife and reduce forest fuel loads.

The burn will proceed only if weather and fire behaviour conditions will allow for quick smoke dissipation and low to moderate fire intensity. If conditions are not suitable, the burn may not occur this year.

Trained wildfire personnel will carefully monitor the fire at all times. Fire control and suppression actions will be taken to meet the goals and objectives of the prescribed burn.

The goal of the burn is to mimic a naturally occurring ground fire and reduce the level of dead and combustible material in grassland and open forest areas. Removal of these forest fuels helps reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfires. Fire can also discourage insect infestations and help fire-adapted plant species reproduce, such as grasses that thrive in newly cleared areas or trees whose seeds are only released when exposed to heat.

When it becomes available, video of the burn will be posted on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo

A factsheet follows.

Media Contact:

Karlie Shaughnessy, Fire Information Officer
Wildfire Management Branch
Southeast Fire Centre
250 365-4014

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 can also 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.

Media Contact:

Karlie Shaughnessy, Fire Information Officer
Wildfire Management Branch
Southeast Fire Centre
250 365-4014