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Prescribed burns for central Okanagan region

Prescribed burns planned for Garnet Lake region between Summerland and Peachland
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A Ministry of Forests Lands specialist lights a prescribed burn near Summerland. Western News file photo

Weather permitting there will be a prescribed burn taking place in the Garnet Lake area in the next two four weeks.

The project is a joint effort by the natural resource department of the Penticton Indian Band (PIB) Ministry of Forests, Lands and Davies Wildfire.

The burn will cover about 120 hectares in the Garnet Lake area between Summerland and Peachland.

Related: Fire ecologist advocates prescribed burns

Officials are advising smoke from the fires will be visible from some of the neighbouring communities and firefighting crews from the PIB and BC Wildfire Service will be carefully monitoring them.

When to proceed with the fires will be based on weather and site conditions.Such burns are only conducted when conditions are suitable and allow for quick smoke dissipation.

Controlled burns are done to help restore and enhance important wildlife habitat and reduce the risk of wildfires to nearby properties.

Related: Prescribed burn in Garnet lake area

Historically the landscape in the Garnet Valley would have been renewed through frequent, low-intensity ground fires which would have prevented tree encroachment, rejuvenated understory plants and maintained open grasslands and forests with large trees.

Organizers say timely and effective information sharing is critical to building and maintaining public awareness in support of the planned managed use of fire in the Okanagan Valley.

This prescribed burn is part of an ongoing PIB program with the provincial government and Davies Wildfire.

To report a wildfire or unattended campfire call 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on a cell phone.

To report a typo, email: editor@pentictonwesternnews.com.

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 MarkBrett
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