The BC Wildfire Service plans to conduct a series of prescribed burns south of Williams Lake between April 3 and April 30, 2019, to help reduce wildfire risks in the area.

The burns are planned for the following locations:

• Felker Lake Recreation Site, about four hectares
• Chimney Lake Recreation Site (central site), about six hectares

These prescribed burns will proceed only if site, weather and venting conditions are suitable. Important factors that determine whether a prescribed burn will go ahead include the venting index, temperature, humidity and forecasted wind activity. The venting index is an indication of the atmosphere’s ability to disperse airborne particles, such as smoke, from a prescribed fire.

All prescribed burns must comply with the Environment Management Act and the Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation. This helps minimize the amount of smoke generated.

Firefighters will monitor these fires at all times.

A prescribed burn is an intentionally lit fire that is planned and managed by a certified “burn boss.” The burn boss is responsible for ensuring that the initial burning conditions are favourable and that the fire is fully extinguished once the prescribed burn is completed.

These planned fires will reduce accumulations of grass and shrubs around these recreation sites and reduce the risk of significant wildfires in the area, since less woody debris and other combustible material will be available to burn.

Prescribed fire is often used to help protect communities and infrastructure in the wildland-urban interface, where developed areas border on forests or grasslands. The removal of forest fuels helps slow the spread of wildfires and provides firefighters with a safer work environment during any future wildfire operations.

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

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