BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) will be supporting two Tsilhqot'in First Nations carry out prescribed burns starting Wednesday, March 12.
One burn will be in collaboration with Tsi Del Del First Nation (Redstone), 188 km west of Williams Lake. The burn is expected to cover an area of approximately 50 hectares in four parcels. The areas are on both the north and south sides of Highway 20. This burn could continue periodically until April 4.
Another burn will be carried out in partnership with Xeni Gwet'in First Nation to burn an estimated four-hectare area of the Xeni Gwet'in Rodeo Grounds.
The BCWS said the burn could go on until March 17.
Both are being carried out in order to reduce wildfire risk by eliminating fuels. The burning will depend on conditions like weather and venting and will have firefighters monitoring fire activity. Smoke will be visible in the areas of the prescribed burns.
This will help remove fine fuels which helps slow the spread of fire if one occurs. The burn will also give BCWS crews an opportunity to collaborate with the communities of Xeni Gwet'in and Tsi Del Del.
Indigenous peoples been using cultural fire for millenia to help manage flora and fauna. These burns will help to continue and renew this tradition, stated a release from the BCWS.
To find out more about this, go to: https://prescribedfire.ca/
BCWS advised residents in these areas to watch for smoke and avoid smoke inhalation and exposure, which can be an irritant and worsen pre-existing lung and heart conditions.
For more information on preventing health risks, go to: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/prevention-public-health/wildfire-smoke
