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

It’s common for logging debris to be gathered in large piles after harvesting is complete. These piles are then 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 community of Squamish and surrounding areas.

BC Timber Sales-Chinook Business Area has been involved in the plan for this pile burning, which will be conducted by BC Wildfire Service crews. The fires will be carefully monitored at all times.

These burn sites are all within 2.5 kilometres of Squamish. Controlled burning of this logging debris during favourable weather conditions will allow the fuels to ignite easily and burn quickly. Since these burns will only be conducted on days with favourable venting conditions, smoke is expected to move up and away from the community.

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 the Squamish area.

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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