Prescribed burns at Rose Hill, Peterson Creek parks scheduled for March 5

KAMLOOPS — The BC Wildfire Service will be moving ahead with a pair of prescribed burns as early as next Wednesday, March 5.

In a statement, the BC Wildfire Service says the two burns – an eight hectare burn at Rose Hill Park and a 17 hectare burn at Peterson Creek Nature Park – will be done in partnership with the City of Kamloops and Tkemlúps te Secwépemc.

“The exact timing of this burn will depend on weather and site conditions,” the BC Wildfire Service said. “Burning will proceed if conditions are suitable and allow for smoke dispersal during burn operations, though smoke may also linger in the following days.”

“Smoke may be visible from Kamloops and surrounding areas, and to motorists travelling along Highways 1, 5 and 5A.”

The City also previously announced plans for a 10 hectare prescribed burn in a publicly-owned area of the Lac Du Bois Grasslands. That burn is also expected to take place this spring, though a date hasn’t been made public yet.

“Temporary trail closures and visible smoke should be expected,” a January statement from the City of Kamloops statement that announced plans for the burns said.

“Prescribed fire is a proven land management tool that helps restore ecological balance, protect critical infrastructure, and enhance community safety by reducing the intensity and spread of potential wildfires,’ the city statement added.

“The prescribed burn project objectives include wildfire risk reduction, low-intensity surface fire application, ecological restoration, invasive species removal and overgrown sagebrush reduction.”

For more information on wildfire protection in Kamloops, go here.