Alkali Resource Management Ltd. and the Esketem’c First Nation, with the assistance of the BC Wildfire Service, plan to conduct a series of prescribed burns in the Mayfield Lake area between April 27 and May 15, 2017, weather conditions permitting.

This series of prescribed burns will cover about 125 hectares in the Mayfield Lake area, which is west of Dog Creek Road and about 10 kilometres north of Alkali Lake.

Smoke from these fires may be visible from nearby communities. Firefighting crews will carefully monitor the fires at all times and will ensure that they are fully extinguished. The decision on when to proceed with these burns will depend on weather and site conditions. Such burns are only conducted when conditions are suitable and allow for quick smoke dissipation.

These controlled burns will help restore natural grassland ecosystems and are supported by the ministry’s Ecosystem Restoration Program. Historically, grasslands in the Cariboo-Chilcotin were renewed through frequent, low-intensity ground fires. Such fires prevented tree encroachment, rejuvenated understory plants and helped maintain open grasslands and forests with large trees.

The re-introduction of managed, low-intensity ground fires to these grasslands is intended to restore ecosystems and maintain plant communities native to these areas. This work will also improve habitat and foraging opportunities for grassland-dependent animals and decrease the risk of catastrophic wildfires in this area in the future.

These prescribed burn projects are part of an ongoing ecosystem restoration program administered by the B.C. government through the Cariboo-Chilcotin Ecosystem Restoration Committee. The committee was formed in 2008 to support ecosystem restoration efforts within the Cariboo-Chilcotin region and it includes representatives from the provincial and federal governments, local First Nations, the B.C. Cattlemen’s Association, forestry professionals and various conservation groups.

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

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

To learn more about the Cariboo-Chilcotin Ecosystem Restoration Committee, visit: http://www.ccerc.net