Residents of communities along the southern part of the Arrow Lakes may notice some forest fire smoke in the air in the next few days.
The Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development says it plans a prescribed burn at Twobit Creek, north of Deer Park.
The 22-hectare burn should help restore the local ecosystem, the ministry says. The burn, which could start as early as Thursday, April 26, may be visible from Edgewood, Renata, Deer Park and surrounding communities.
BC Wildfire Service personnel will monitor this fire at all times, and is following guidelines to try to minimize the amount of smoke generated.
Officials hope the burn will rejuvenate the area’s shrub, herb and grass layer, enhancing winter habitat for mule deer, elk and bighorn sheep. It should also create more open forest habitat and improve biodiversity.
The overall reduction in flammable materials, such as brush and wood debris, will also help decrease the risk of catastrophic wildfires in the area in future, a ministry release notes.
Fire is a natural, normal process in many ecosystems, and beneficial for maintaining a healthy forest and a diversity of plant and animal life. This ecosystem restoration project is being done in conjunction with the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program.