Account Login/Registration

Access PentictonNow using your Facebook account, or by entering your information below.


Facebook


OR


Register

Privacy Policy

Prescribed burn between Summerland and Peachland set for next two to four weeks

The Penticton Indian Band (PIB) has announced it will be working with provincial partners to conduct a large-scale prescribed burn in the Garnet Lake area between Summerland and Peachland some time within the next two to four weeks.

This prescribed burn, weather conditions permitting, will cover 120 hectares in the Garnet Lake Area, located northwest of Summerland and southeast of Peachland, said the PIB in a news release Tuesday.

Smoke from these fires may be visible from nearby communities, said the news release.

<who>Photo Credit: Facebook BC Wildfire Service </who>The Penticton Indian Band, with support from the BC Wildfire Service and other provincial agencies, is planning to conduct a prescribed burn in the Garnet Lake area between Summerland and Peachland some time within the next two to four weeks, weather conditions permitting.

The Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations & Rural Development and Davies Wildfire will be partners in the prescribed burn project.

“Firefighting crews from the PIB and the BC Wildfire Service will carefully monitor the first at all times,” said the news release. “The decision on when to proceed with these burns will depend on weather and site conditions.

“Such burns are only conducted when conditions are suitable and allow for quick smoke dissipation.

“This controlled burn will help restore and enhannce natural important wildlife habitat and reduce the risk of wildfire to nearby properties. Historically, the landscape in the Garnet Valley would have been renewed through frequent, low-intensity ground fires. Such fires prevented tree encroachment, rejuvenated understory plants and helped maintain open grasslands and forests with large trees.”

<who>Photo Credit: Facebook BC Wildfire Service

Giving the public ample warning about the planned prescribed burn by effective communications and information sharing is critical to maintaining public awareness and support for the managed use of fire in this region, says the release.

The prescribed burn is an opportunity to bring public attention to the ecological and cultural use of fire and reducing hazardous fuel loading to enhance public safety, while restoring habitat and forest stand structure are mutually complementary, said the release.

<who>Photo Credit: Facebook BC Wildfire Service

This managed, low-intensity ground fire is intended to restore ecosystems and maintain plant communities native to these areas.

This work will also improve habitat and foraging opportunities for wildlife and decrease the risk of catastrophic wildfires in this area in the future, said the release.

The report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on a cellphone.



Send your comments, news tips, typos, letter to the editor, photos and videos to [email protected].




weather-icon
Fri
13℃

weather-icon
Sat
12℃

weather-icon
Sun
15℃

weather-icon
Mon
17℃

weather-icon
Tue
16℃

weather-icon
Wed
12℃


Top Stories

Follow Us

Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook
Follow Our Newsletter
Privacy Policy