The BC Wildfire Service is burning slash piles in several areas within the Fraser Valley to help prepare the sites for reforestation in spring 2018.

These burns will also reduce the risk of aggressive wildfires in these areas in future.

Burning is expected to begin this week and will continue periodically in the fall as weather permits. Trained crews and firefighting equipment will be on site to monitor and control these burns.

The areas where pile burning is scheduled include:

• along the West Harrison Forest Service Road
• near Lost Creek (east of Mission, near Stave Lake)

Smoke from these controlled burns may be visible from Highway 7 and from the communities of Harrison Lake, Harrison Mills, the Sts’ailes and surrounding areas.

Burning will only be done when weather conditions are favourable for quick smoke dissipation. Wind speed, direction, venting and burning conditions are all considered prior to ignition to 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.

You can also follow the latest wildfire news on:

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