The prescribed burn planned for the area of Grassy Mountain could begin today (June 3).
The burn will cover up to 22.6 hectares of land located about 12.5 km northwest of Salmo.
Southeast Fire Centre Information Officer Alex Robinson says the BC Wildfire Service hopes to begin main ignitions today, pending site conditions.
“Prescribed fires are carefully planned and implemented according to a burn plan that requires specific weather and moisture conditions to align for a perfect burn window. We are hoping to begin main ignitions for the Grassy Mountain area today.”
Smoke may be visible from Castlegar and Salmo, as well as to motorists travelling along Highway 3, particularly at higher elevations.
Key goals of the burn include long-term fire hazard abatement through reducing fuel loading, aiding in the survival of newly planted seedlings, increasing long-term nutrient cycling and biodiversity, and wildfire mitigation.
Although the Southeast Fire Centre has been under a Category 3 open burning prohibition since May 30, Robinson notes that prescribed burning is still permitted when conditions are suitable.
“Category 3 open burning is currently prohibited. Despite this, coastal and prescribed burning can continue when conditions are suitable. These projects are implemented to achieve very specific land stewardship objectives.
To achieve fire behaviour that meets those objectives, practitioners need to wait for the right weather and site conditions, which can occur during a Category 3 prohibition like we are experiencing now.”
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