Piles of wood debris are being burned near Quesnel this week to help reduce wildfire hazards.

Pile burning will begin in the Pantage Lake area on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019, and in the Fishpot Lake area on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019.

These controlled burns are being conducted by staff from the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. BC Wildfire Service crews are assisting with these projects and monitoring fire activity.

The piles were created when fireguards were constructed during the 2017 and 2018 wildfire seasons. A fireguard is an area around the perimeter of a wildfire that is cleared of trees and other vegetation to help slow the fire’s spread. About 100 of these piles were created around the Fishpot Lake wildfire in 2017 and about 50 piles were created around the Pantage Lake wildfire in 2018.

Burning will occur only on days when site and weather conditions are favourable and will allow smoke to dissipate.

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