Expect heavy smoke along Highway 3 due to planned ignition

The B.C. Wildfire Service is warning residents of heavy smoke along Highway 3 today due to a planned ignition.

The planned ignition will take place along the highway within Manning Park to remove heavy fuel between the Heather Lake wildfire’s perimeter and the Similkameen River, according to the wildfire service's latest update.

The burn will remove approximately 30 hectares of fuel reducing the potential for fire spotting across the river.  The targeted area is on the north side of the highway between Manning Park Resort and Garret Road for 18.5 kilometres, about 64 km southeast of Hope to 46 km west of Princeton.

If conditions are ideal this afternoon, the ignition will be conducted between 1 and 4 p.m., Oct. 1.

DriveB.C. will update travellers on road conditions.

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