BC Wildfire Service crews will be conducting a series of controlled pile burns in the Harrison Lake / Hope area in October to remove logging debris and reduce the risk of wildfires.

It’s common for logging debris to be gathered in large piles after harvesting is complete. These piles are often burned during the cooler months of the year, since they could pose a significant wildfire risk if they’re not removed before the arrival of warmer weather.

This wildfire risk mitigation project will comply with the Environmental Management Act and the open burning smoke control regulation to minimize the amount of smoke generated. While the piles are burning, however, smoke will be visible from the communities of Harrison Lake, Harrison Mills, the Sts’ailes Nation, Hope, Highway 1 and surrounding areas.

This pile burning will be conducted by BC Wildfire Service crews. The fires will be monitored by crews to prevent escape.

Controlled burning of this logging debris during favourable weather conditions will allow the fuels to ignite easily, burn quickly, and fully consume the piles. Since these burns will only be conducted on days with favourable venting conditions, smoke is expected to move up and away from the communities.

Fuel management in British Columbia is a shared responsibility of the provincial government, local governments, homeowners, First Nations and stakeholders. The Provincial Strategic Threat Analysis project has mapped and identified about 1.7 million hectares of forested areas where wildfire potentially poses a threat to B.C. communities. These controlled burns will help reduce that threat in these areas.

To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.

For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, go to: http://www.bcwildfire.ca

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