PLANNED BURNS REDUCE WILDFIRE HAZARD

VERNON – Nov 10
As part of the continuing Silver Star Provincial Park Wildfire Hazard Reduction Project, burning of remaining brush piles may occur in the park this week.The burning, to be carried out by Ministry of Environment contractors, is part of a long-term plan to reduce wildfire fuel hazard and continue ecosystem restoration in the park. In particular, the upcoming burns are required to reduce interface wildfire threats to Silver Star Mountain Resort and the park’s recreation facilities caused by the mountain pine beetle infestation in the southwest corner of the park. Since 2003, the B.C. government has invested more than $800,000 in the Silver Star Provincial Park Wildfire Hazard Reduction Project, which is now close to completion.In addition, British Columbia Transmission Corporation, which has an existing right-of-way through the Campbell Brown Ecological Reserve for its transmission power line, will begin piling and burning felled hazard trees in the ecological reserve next week to reduce the wildfire hazard. The piling and burning will be carried out by Vernon-based forest protection staff. The ecological reserve is located five kilometres north of Oyama, on the west side of Kalamalka Lake.The burns in Silver Star Provincial Park and Campbell Brown Ecological Reserve are weather-dependent and will only take place if conditions provide for the least impact on air quality in surrounding communities.As recommended by the Filmon Report, the government of British Columbia is carrying out fuel management activities to reduce the risk of wildfires.