A 240-hectare habitat enhancement burn is planned for Tobacco Plains Band traditional territory, about four kilometres southeast of Grasmere.
The BC Wildfire Service will be supporting the Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship for the burn.
The timing of this work will depend on the weather and site conditions, but it could be sparked as early as Saturday, April 13.
Crews will be using helicopters to help with their operations.
“Smoke may impact residents near the burn area and will be highly visible from Grasmere, surrounding communities, and to motorists travelling along Highway 93,” said BC Wildfire Service officials.
The prescribed burn is being done with a few goals in mind:
- Improve winter and transitional habitat for mule deer and bighorn sheep.
- Enhance forest openings to increase movement corridors and sightlines for predator avoidance.
- Rejuvenate important forage species to support wildlife.
- Help restore forest health and properly functioning open forest conditions.
- Reduce forest fuels to decrease the long-term wildfire risk.
“Fire is a normal and natural process in many of B.C.’s ecosystems,” said BC Wildfire Service officials. “The BC Wildfire Service works regularly with land managers to undertake fuel management activities (including the use of prescribed burns), to help reduce the severity of future wildfires and related threats to communities.”