Prescribed burn continues in Selous Creek area
By The Nelson Daily Staff
To help reduce the wildfire risk in the wildland urban interface, the BC Wildfire Service is supporting the Kalesnikoff Lumber Company and the Regional District of Central Kootenay in continuing the prescribed burn in the Selous Creek area near Nelson.
The BC Wildfire Service said this burn is located approximately two kilometres south of the City of Nelson on the east side of Highway 6 and will cover up to 14 hectares.
BC Wildfire Service said the exact timing of this burn will depend on weather and site conditions, but it could begin as early as Tuesday, June 11, 2024.
“Smoke may impact residents near the burn area and may be visible from Nelson and surrounding areas, and to motorists travelling along Highway 6 and 3A,” the BC Wildfire Service media release said.
“Burning will proceed if conditions are suitable to achieve objectives and allow for smoke dispersal, though smoke may linger in the following days, particularly the morning after burn operations. Despite all precautions to manage it, unintended smoke impacts are possible after any burn.”
Key goals of this prescribed burn include:
- Reduce build-up of dead wood and other combustible material
- Returning a natural and necessary process to the land base, and
- Decrease the the long-term risk of wildfires in the area.
The BC Wildfire Service said that since 2017, this project has been an example of the high level of collaboration between regional and municipal governments, fire services, and a local timber licensee to reduce wildfire risk in the wildland urban interface.
In British Columbia, there are four types of open burning: Category 1 – campfire, Category 2 open fire, Category 3 open fire, and Category 4 resource management open fire.
Resource management open fire is any use of fire that is lit, fueled or used for silviculture treatment, forest health management, wildlife habitat enhancement, fire hazard abatement, ecological restoration or range improvement, and includes prescribed fire.
Local and First Nations governments, community forests, resource districts, farmers, ranchers and others often use prescribed fire as a resource management tool.
During a category 3 open fire prohibition, category 4 resource management open fires are often not prohibited. Before any prescribed burning takes place, an approved burn plan must be in place. Burn plans outline the goals, required conditions, on-site resources, and other checks and balances needed on site to safely carry out the prescribed burn.
Learn more about how resource management open fire is used safely through the following video: prescribed fire safety.
Fire is a normal and natural process in many of B.C.’s ecosystems. The BC Wildfire Service works regularly with land managers to undertake fuel management activities (including the use of prescribed burns), to help reduce the severity of future wildfires and related threats to communities. Learn more about prescribed burning online: prescribedfire.ca.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air-quality advisories, visit: bcwildfire.ca.
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