The BC Wildfire Service and the Shackan Indian Band are working together to conduct a prescribed burn on Shackan Indian Reserve #11 to help reduce wildfire risks in the area.

The site is about 40 kilometres west of Merritt off Highway 8 and three kilometres east of the main village of Shackan. This prescribed burn is scheduled to start on March 27, 2019, if weather, site and venting conditions allow. If conditions are not favourable, the burn will take place on another date between March 28 and April 15.

Smoke may be visible from nearby communities. The Shackan Indian Band and the BC Wildfire Service will carefully prepare, control and monitor the fire. Ignition will proceed only if conditions are suitable and will allow for quick smoke dissipation. The low- to moderate-intensity surface fire will be lit within a pre-established boundary to remove combustible materials and mimic a naturally occurring ground fire.

This prescribed burn will also enhance traditional values on land used by the Shackan Indian Band. The surface fire will be hot enough to reduce or eliminate sagebrush, fine fuels, invasive species and weeds, but not hot enough to scorch soils, desirable shrubs or leafed trees. This will allow nutrients to be released into the soil over the next few years while increasing the amount of pinegrass, bunchgrass, rabbit brush and arrow-leaved balsamroot growing in the area.  

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: www.bcwildfire.ca

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Learn More:

A factsheet about prescribed burns and ecosystem restoration burns is available online: http://ow.ly/E8Ue30br7OY