The City of Cranbrook is carrying out a prescribed burn that may happen as soon as Wednesday, April 26, weather permitting; localized smoke should be visible from Cranbrook, Kimberley, and Fort Steele.

Up to 79 hectares east and south of the Canadian Rockies International Airport (YXC) may see a prescribed fire starting Wednesday morning to control fuel loads and limit conifer regeneration, provided the weather conditions and the venting index remain favourable.

We are tackling this work as part of a larger coordinated effort to protect communities and infrastructure with our partners and neighbours in ʔaq’am, Kimberley, the BC Wildfire Service, Ministry of Forests staff and local industry.

The key goals of this prescribed burn include:

• Reduce accumulations of dead wood and other combustible material.
  • Promote ecological biodiversity by suppressing the growth of regenerating trees and reducing wildfire severity.

This project is the continuation of a 22-hectare parcel prescribed burn at the road entrance to the Canadian Rockies International Airport conducted in April 2022. This week’s burn will help create a holding line to protect the airport ahead of a more extensive prescribed burn being undertaken by ʔaq’am this weekend, weather permitting.

Cranbrook Fire & Emergency Services will be participating in this prescribed burn in a support role.

Fire is a very normal and natural process in this ecosystem, and it is our intention to return this landscape to a healthy, fire-resistive state.

The effects of this burn will be visible from Cranbrook, ʔaq’am, Kimberley and surrounding areas, as well as Highway 93 and Highway 95A.

Photo submitted

City of Cranbrook

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