The Cariboo Fire Centre is reassuring residents who may see smoke north of Canim Lake that there is large-scale industrial burning now underway to clear out wood debris and reduce wildfire risks in the area.
Due to a decreased wildfire risk in the region, Category 3 fires are once again allowed throughout the Cariboo Fire Centre's coverage area.
In a Sept. 14 bulletin, BC Wildfire Service fire information officer Natasha Broznitsky notes that the Category 3 open burns north of Canim Lake are being carried out in the areas of Boss Creek Road, Spanish Creek Forest Service Road, 6300 Road, Dietrich Creek Road and Lang Lake Forest Service Road.
"Piles of logging debris can create a significant wildfire risk if they're not disposed of responsibly," she explains. "The controlled burning of such piles when weather, site and venting conditions are favourable helps mitigate this threat."
Category 3 burning is expected to continue in this area for the next month, she adds.
Category 3 fires include:
• fires that are larger than two metres high by three metres wide,
• the burning of stubble or grass over an area greater than 0.2 hectares,
• the burning of three or more fires concurrently (with individual burn piles no larger than two metres high by three metres wide), or
• one or more burning windrows.
Anyone who lights, fuels or uses a Category 2 or Category 3 open fire must first obtain a burn registration number by calling 1-888-797-1717, as must also comply with the Environmental Management Act and Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation.
More information about open burning categories, fire bans and fire restrictions is online at www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/fire-bans-and-restrictions.