BC Gov News

LYTTON - The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations is planning to conduct three prescribed burns in the Lillooet Fire Zone. These controlled burns are scheduled to start on Tuesday, April 1, 2014, and conclude by Friday, April 15, 2014.

The exact timing of the burns will depend on weather and site conditions. They will proceed only if fire behaviour conditions are suitable and will allow for quick smoke dissipation and low to moderate fire intensity.

• A 184-hectare controlled burn is planned for an area approximately 400 metres south of Loring Way in Lytton. The Wildfire Management Branch is working with the Nlaka’pamux Nation Tribal Council, the Village of Lytton, Skuppah First Nations, Lytton First Nations and ministry staff from the Cascades Natural Resource District to help restore important elk habitat in the area. Smoke will be visible from the Village of Lytton and Highway 1.
• The Skihist Park controlled burn, approximately eight kilometres east of Lytton, will cover about 14 hectares. BC Parks and the Wildfire Management Branch are working in partnership to help restore this ecosystem and reduce interface wildfire risks for nearby residents. Smoke will be visible along Highway 1.
• The Wildfire Management Branch is working with Lytton First Nations to conduct a 34-hectare burn to help restore sheep habitat approximately one kilometre northwest of Lytton off Highway 12. Smoke will be visible from the Village of Lytton and from Highways 12 and 1.

Trained wildfire personnel will carefully monitor the three fires at all times. Fire control and suppression actions will meet the objectives of these prescribed burns. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will also assist to ensure public safety along nearby highways.

The goal of these burns is to mimic naturally occurring ground fires and reduce the amount of 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 they become available, photos of the burn will be posted on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo

A factsheet follows.

Media Contacts:

Kayla Pepper
Fire Information Officer
Wildfire Management Branch
Kamloops Fire Centre
250 554-5530

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.”

• 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 Contacts:

Kayla Pepper
Fire Information Officer
Wildfire Management Branch
Kamloops Fire Centre
250 554-5530