The BC Wildfire Service plans to conduct a 39-hectare prescribed burn in the Date Creek area, about 26 kilometres northwest of the Village of Kispiox, to prepare the site for replanting and help reduce wildfire risks.

This prescribed burn could begin as early as Wednesday, May 15, 2019, if weather, site and venting conditions are suitable. Smoke may be visible from Kispiox and surrounding communities.

A prescribed burn is an intentionally ignited fire that is planned and managed by a certified “burn boss.” The burn boss is responsible for ensuring initial burn conditions are favourable and the fire is fully extinguished once the prescribed burn is complete. Trained firefighters will be on-site to ensure that the fire remains within predetermined boundaries.

The burn site is near the 12-kilometre mark on the Date Creek 1200 resource road. The cutblock where the prescribed burn will take place was logged over the last two years. This burn will consume fine fuels and reduce accumulations of medium-sized fuels, while most large woody debris will remain.

This approach will allow for more effective tree planting and provide an opportunity for BC Timber Sales staff to examine the short-term impacts of broadcast burns, such as this one, on future tree growth.

Key goals of this prescribed burn include:

• minimizing future wildfire impacts on mature standing timber outside the burn area;
• reducing the amount of fine and medium-sized logging debris on the site to create space for more than 45,000 seedlings and improve access for tree planters; and
• encouraging improved co-operation between government agencies and local First Nations, with the aid of a five-person fire suppression crew from the Gitxsan Nation that will work alongside BC Wildfire Service and BC Timber Sales staff.

The exact timing of this burn will depend on weather and site conditions. Burning will proceed only if conditions are suitable. 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.

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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A factsheet about prescribed burns and ecosystem restoration burns is available online:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/factsheets/prescribed-burns-and-ecosystem-restoration-burns