Prescribed burning is planned in the Lundbom Lake area south of Merritt between April 10 and May 16, 2014. The controlled burn will occur in several phases during this period in order to meet ecosystem restoration objectives.

The burn will be conducted by Wildfire Management Branch personnel and Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations staff from the Cascades Natural Resource District.

The Lundbom Lake burn area covers an estimated 78 hectares. It is located about 13 kilometres south of Merritt and four kilometres east of Highway 97C.

Historically, grasslands and open forests in the Nicola Valley 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 managed fires also reduce the amount of combustible material, leading to a decreased risk of wildfires.

Prescribed burns are part of an ongoing ecosystem restoration program administered by the Province of British Columbia through the Nicola-Similkameen Innovative Forestry Society, in collaboration with local ranchers, forest licensees, First Nation communities and other organizations.

Media Contacts:

Kayla Pepper
Fire Information Officer
Wildfire Management Branch
Kamloops Fire Centre
250 554-5530
250 318-6959 (mobile)