Ecosystem restoration burn planned for Boundary Region
By Boundary Sentinel
In a media release Wednesday, the BC Wildfire Service said it plans to conduct a 41-hectare ecosystem restoration burn in the Bubar Creek area of the Southeast Fire Centre, about seven kilometres northeast of Rock Creek and about 35 kilometres west of Grand Forks.
The BC Wildfire Service said smoke will be visible from Rock Creek and surrounding communities, and to motorists travelling along Highway 3.
“The exact timing of this burn will depend on weather and site conditions, but could begin as early as Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020,” BC Wildfire Service said.
“Burning will proceed only if conditions are suitable and allow for a low-intensity to moderate-intensity fire. 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.”
Trained BC Wildfire Service personnel will monitor this fire at all times.
Key goals of this prescribed burn include:
- enhance wildlife habitat, particularly for ungulates (e.g. deer and sheep) and species at risk
- rejuvenate understory vegetation (e.g. smaller plants growing under the tree canopy)
- improve biodiversity at the tree stand level
- reduce the spread of invasive plants
- reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires in the area
The BC Wildfire Service said the fire is a normal and natural process in many of B.C.’s ecosystems. The BC Wildfire Service works regularly with land managers to undertake fuel management activities (including the use of prescribed burns), to help restore ecosystem dynamics and reduce the severity of future wildfires and related threats to communities.
Learn more about prescribed burning online: http://ow.ly/20Su50Ax89j
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 tollfree or *5555 on a cellphone. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air-quality advisories, visit: http://www.bcwildfire.ca
