The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, in co-operation with the Village of Lytton and the Lytton First Nation, is planning to conduct additional prescribed burns in the Lillooet Fire Zone to reduce wildfire threats.

The burns are scheduled to start on Monday, April 3, and will be concluded by Friday, May 12, 2017. Trained wildfire crews will carefully control and monitor these fires at all times. Smoke and flames may be visible from the Village of Lytton and from Highway 1.

• Highway 1 – 4.9 hectares, south of the Village of Lytton and next to the Trans-Canada Highway
• Kumsheen – 36.8 hectares, 3.5 kilometres northeast of the Village of Lytton on Crown land, next to the TransCanada Highway
• Old Lytton airstrip - 18.1 hectares, one kilometre north of the Village of Lytton on Crown land next to the old Lytton airstrip
• South Lytton burn – 3.9 hectares, 1.8 kilometres south of the Village of Lytton, next to the TransCanada Highway and above the Vehicle Safety Authority highway maintenance yard
• Murray Creek Forest Service Road – 186.2 hectares, 1.5 kilometres west of Spence’s Bridge and next to the Murray Creek Forest Service Road

The Murray Creek Forest Service Road burn will help with ecosystem restoration and enhance big horn sheep winter foraging grounds. It will also reduce accumulations of fuels to reduce wildfire risks for nearby communities. This burn is being done in co-operation with the Cook’s Ferry Indian Band.

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

The goal of these burns is to mimic a naturally occurring ground fire and reduce the level of combustible material in grassland and open forest areas. Removal of these fuels helps reduce the threat of interface wildfires.

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

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