Next phase of large prescribed burn planned for Similkameen valley

If you're travelling along Highway 3 in the Similkameen valley over the next few weeks you may see plumes of smoke from the second phase of a large prescribed burn.

B.C. Wildfire Service said in a media release that planning is underway to conduct phase two of a 1,100 hectare prescribed burn near Crater Mountain, about 15 kilometres west of Keremeos.

Preparation work is expected to begin as early as today, March 18, but the burn itself likely won't happen until April as weather, site and venting conditions allow.

Smoke may be visible from nearby communities, Highway 3 and Highway 3A, the wildfire service said.

#BCWildfire Service, the Okanagan Nation Alliance and the Lower Similkameen Indian Band plan to conduct a 1,100ha prescribed burn with support from the Okanagan-Shuswap Resource District near Crater Mountain, ~15km W of #Keremeos.

For more information: https://t.co/7R6q5zr8dq.

— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) March 18, 2021

The burn is being conducted with the aid of the Okanagan Nation Alliance and the Lower Similkameen Indian Band, and is phase two of a comprehensive, multi-year project that started in early 2019. It is expected to improve bighorn sheep habitat in addition to protecting cultural values.

The burn, which is expected to produce a low to moderate intensity surface fire, will be prepared, controlled and monitored by members of the Lower Similkameen Indian Band along with wildfire service personnel.

For more information on phase two the prescribed burn go to this B.C. Wildfire Service web page.

More information on the successful first phase of the burn can be found on the Okanagan Nation Alliance website here.

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