Over 100 piles of woody debris near Coglistiko Lake and Fishpot Lake will be burned between Monday, March 23 and March 31, 2020, to reduce wildfire risks and prepare for the upcoming tree-planting season.

These controlled burns will be conducted by staff from the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. Burning will occur only on days when site and weather conditions are favourable and will allow smoke to dissipate.

The areas around Coglistiko Lake and Fishpot Lake, about 10 kilometres west of Nazko and about 80 kilometres west of Quesnel, were heavily damaged by the 2017 Plateau wildfire and contained high concentrations of standing dead trees. The piles of wood were created when many of these dead trees were cut down.  

Burning the piles will allow more trees to be planted in the cleared areas this spring and also decrease future fire hazards in the area. Several of the piles will remain in place to enhance wildlife habitat by providing cover for martens, fishers and other animals.