The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations will be conducting a 22-hectare prescribed burn 15 kilometres north of Deer Park (near Twobit Creek) to help restore local ecosystems.

This controlled burn will occur sometime between April 4 and May 15, but timing will depend on weather and site conditions. While the burn is underway, smoke may be visible from Edgewood, Renata, Deer Park and surrounding communities.

Trained BC Wildfire Service personnel will carefully monitor the Twobit Creek fire at all times.

Historically, grasslands and open forest ecosystems in the West Kootenay have been maintained through frequent, low-intensity ground fires. The objective of this controlled burn is to rejuvenate the shrub, herb and grass layer, which will enhance winter habitat for mule deer, elk and bighorn sheep, improve overall biodiversity in the area, create a more open forest habitat and increase the availability of nutrients. Reducing accumulations of combustible materials will also decrease the risk of catastrophic wildfires in the area.

Fire is a natural, normal process in many ecosystems. It is beneficial and necessary to maintain a healthy forest and diversity of plant and animal life. Through evolution and exposure to wildfires, many plants and animals have adapted to fire and actually depend on it to reproduce.

All prescribed burns must comply with the Environmental Management Act and the open burning smoke control regulation, to help minimize the amount of smoke generated.

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, visit: http://www.bcwildfire.ca

You can also follow the latest wildfire news on:

• Twitter at http://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo  
• Facebook at http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo

Learn More:

A factsheet about prescribed burns and ecosystem restoration burns is available online: http://ow.ly/RTiN303JR6T