To continue to reduce wildfire threats, the BC Wildfire Service will be supporting the City of Cranbrook in conducting a prescribed burn, weather dependant, covering up to 50 hectares, located next to the Canadian Rockies International Airport (YXC).

Cranbrook Fire and Emergency Services is partnering with the Southeast Fire Centre, the City of Kimberley Fire Department, ʔaq̓am, and several other industry partners as part of the prescribed burn.

The exact timing of this burn will depend on weather and site conditions, but it could begin as early as Tuesday, April 2, 2024.

Smoke may impact communities and residents near the burn area and will be highly visible from the ʔaq̓am Community, City of Cranbrook, and surrounding areas. Smoke will also be visible to motorists travelling along Highway 93, Highway 95A, and Highway 3.

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.

The prescribed burn will mostly include a grass burn and will focus on reducing accumulations of matted grass, wood, and combustible materials while providing critical infrastructure protection and reducing the risk of wildfires to the local communities.

Key goals of this prescribed burn include:

• Reduce accumulations of continuous matted grass, wood, and combustible material;
  • Provide critical infrastructure protection; and
  • Reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires for the community.

“Without the support of a grant from the Columbia Basin Trust, this prescribed burn wouldn’t have been possible,” said Dan MacKinnon, Deputy Director of Cranbrook Fire and Emergency Services. “Collaboration and partnership with the wildfire hazard mitigation program is paramount to protect our community and neighbouring communities from the threat of wildfire.”

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.

Lead image: The St. Mary Wildfire from summer 2023 as seen from YXC.  e-KNOW file photo

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