Fire hazard debris burning today in Central Okanagan

CENTRAL OKANAGAN – With good air quality and venting conditions today, March 14, the Regional District of Central Okanagan advises that controlled burning is underway in Trepanier Creek Greenway Regional Park. 

Open burning is allowed today for those eligible Central Okanagan property owners with permits from their local fire authority.

Piles of fire hazard wood debris along a 2.5-kilometer section of the park south of the Okanagan Connector (Highway 97-C) were collected in the clean-up following the 2012 Trepanier wildfire.

Today’s burning has been authorized with appropriate permits for fire fuel hazard reduction. All local fire departments and local media have been advised of today’s activity in the park and will be notified when further burning takes place.

When conditions allow, additional controlled burning will be required in the southern portion of Glen Canyon Regional Park in West Kelowna to dispose of fire hazard debris collected as part of a large fuel modification project on just over 15-hectares between the trail entrances at Hebert and Brown Roads and Westbank Centre Park, south to the Gellatly Road parking area.

As well, collected debris will be burned as part of a multi-year BC Wildfire Service fire hazard mitigation program on a ten-hectare section of Rose Valley Regional Park off Pettman and Bowes Roads.

Please be aware that trails through these various work areas may be temporarily closed. Park users are asked to watch for signs advising that trails are closed and that they stay out of any closed areas of the park.