Prescribed burn planned for Fort Nelson on May 12th

FORT NELSON, B.C. — The BC Wildfire Service and Northern Rockies Fire Rescue will be conducting a prescribed burn for Fort Nelson on May 12th. 

According to press releases on May 9th, the prescribed burn has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 12th, and preparations may begin today, May 11th. 

The burn project will comprise two burn units covering approximately 20 hectares. 

The first unit, which is 17 hectares, is located south of the Alaska Highway, east of Cordova Way and the second unit is three hectares, which is located northeast of the Northern Rockies Regional Airport near the Fort Nelson Motocross Track. 

The exact timing for the burn will depend on weather and site conditions, and crews may begin preparation on May 11th if conditions are suitable. 

This will include burning fuel around the perimeter of the burn site to prevent the fire from spreading beyond the established boundary. 

The release said smoke may be visible in Fort Nelson and to motorists travelling on Highway 97. 

The goal of the prescribed burn is joint operational training for BC Wildfire Service and Northern Rockies Fire Rescue crews and hazard mitigation. 

Safety is “paramount” in all prescribed burn operations, the release said. Burns are guided by a detailed burn plan that defines objectives and outlines key requirements, including weather and fuel conditions, personnel and equipment needs, mitigation measures, and post-fire monitoring. 

The release said the burning will proceed only if conditions are suitable to achieve objectives and allow appropriate smoke dispersal. 

Smoke may linger in the following days, the release noted, particularly the morning after the burn operations. 

The release warned the community that there might be smoke impacts despite all smoke management precautions. 

For information on wildfire smoke impacts and how the community can protect itself, visit this website.