Controlled burns are used to help maintain natural ecosystems.
(CHARLOTTE HELSTON / iNFOnews.ca)
March 14, 2014 - 11:40 AM
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN — A very visible burn is set to take place next week off of Highway 1 near Lytton, but it is only one of several happening throughout the region as wildfire crews prepare for yet another busy season.
Starting Tuesday residents and highway drivers can expect to see a lot of smoke and flames in the Lytton area as a 184 ha controlled burn is used to help restore the ecosystem in the area.
“Burning is happening right now, there's lots of piles to burn,” Fire Information Officer Kayla Pepper says, “It's typical work for this time of year.”
Pepper says the Lytton burn is one of several planned for the region over the next little while. Pile burns near Barriere are also expected to continue next week, used to help remove low-laying tinder, or ladder fuels, as opposed to a ground fire used to replicate an actual wildfire.
The controlled burn near Lytton is should conclude Friday, March 21 and is part of a provincial strategy to restore habitats for endangered elk herds and will help reduce fuel loads to help protect the community as well.
Before doing any prescribed burns venting and weather conditions will be monitored to ensure the smoke will clear properly and have as little impact as possible on drivers and residents.
Pepper notes as soon as snow melts we can expect to start seeing grass fires, though they are usually not very large or as destructive.
To contact a reporter for this story, email jstahn@infotelnews.ca or call (250)819-3723.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014