Controlled burns well under way

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN — Crews are busy around the region conducting controlled burns to help rehabilitate ecosystems and reduce risks of wildfires later in the season.

On Wednesday 42 B.C. Wildfire crew members were on hand near Lytton to take part in two separate burns, a 14 hectare burn at Skihist Park campgrounds and another 34 ha just north of town to help rebuild the ecosystem for big-horned sheep. A larger burn is also planned near the community over the next two weeks, depending on weather conditions.

In the Vernon area two burns are planned, Satellite Hill and South Fork, and in the southern part of the Okanagan two more burns are planned, Bald Range and Eneas Creek. All set to take place by mid-May.

Fire Information Officer Kayla Pepper notes they are working with several agencies to plan and conduct burns throughout the region with some on private property. Open burning is permitted through mid-May and as a result many controlled burns are taking place with the help of the agency, but many without as well.

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