A 60-hectare prescribed burn will be conducted in the Winlaw Creek area to help reduce wildfire risks and restore local ecosystems.

The controlled burn could begin as early as Thursday, May 3, 2018, depending on weather and site conditions. The Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development is working on this project in conjunction with the Slocan Integral Forestry Cooperative.

BC Wildfire Service personnel will monitor the fire at all times.

Smoke may be visible from Winlaw, Passmore and surrounding communities. All prescribed burns must comply with the Environmental Management Act and the open burning smoke control regulation. This helps minimize the amount of smoke generated.

Historically, grasslands and an open forest canopy have been maintained in the West Kootenay through frequent, low-intensity ground fires. The objective of this burn is to rejuvenate the shrub, herb and grass layer. This 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. The overall reduction in fuel loads (accumulations of flammable material such as wood debris) will also decrease the risk of catastrophic wildfires in this area.

Fire is a normal and natural process in many of B.C.’s ecosystems. The BC Wildfire Service works regularly with land managers to undertake fuel management activities (including the use of prescribed burns), to help reduce the severity of future wildfires and related threats to communities.

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

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• On Twitter: http://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo
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Learn More:

A factsheet about prescribed burns and ecosystem restoration burns is available online: http://ow.ly/7RXg304vw2Z