The Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development and Cook’s Ferry Indian Band plan to conduct a prescribed burn on the Shaniken 3 Indian Reserve, located southwest of the community of Spences Bridge.

The prescribed burn is scheduled to start between Sept. 23 and Oct. 4, 2019, if weather, site and venting conditions allow.

Staff from the Cook’s Ferry Indian Band and the BC Wildfire Service will carefully prepare, control and monitor the fire at all times. Smoke will be visible from nearby communities and Highway 1, but ignition will proceed only if conditions are suitable and will allow for quick smoke dissipation.

This prescribed burn is intended to reduce wildfire risks, as well as increase traditional values on land used by the Cook’s Ferry Indian Band. A low- to moderate-intensity surface fire will be lit within a pre-established boundary with established hose lines. It will remove combustible materials and mimic naturally occurring ground fire.

The surface fire will be hot enough to reduce or eliminate the sagebrush, fine fuels, invasive species and weeds without scorching soils, desirable shrubs or leave trees. It is expected to create a flush of nutrients in the coming few years, while also increasing the pinegrass, bunchgrass, rabbit brush and arrow-leaved balsamroot 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.

Follow the latest B.C. wildfire news:

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

Learn More:

A factsheet about prescribed burns and ecosystem restoration burns is available online: http://ow.ly/T39P30pzotP