PLANNED BURNS REDUCE WILDFIRE HAZARD IN FINTRY PARK

VERNON – As the Fintry Provincial Park Wildfire Hazard Reduction Project continues, burning of brush piles may occur in the park during the first two weeks of January.The burning, to be carried out by Ministry of Environment contractors, is part of a plan to reduce wildfire fuel hazard and interface concerns, and to facilitate ecosystem restoration. In particular, the upcoming burns are required to reduce interface wildfire threats to Fintry delta residents, and the park’s recreation and historical facilities. The area being treated has been impacted by mountain pine beetle and western pine beetle. Since 2006, the B.C. government has invested more than $60,000 in the Fintry Provincial Park Wildfire Hazard Reduction Project.In addition, a small thinning project around the Fintry Manor House has been completed and these brush piles may be burned by Vernon-based forest protection crews at the same time as the main wildfire hazard reduction burns.The burns in Fintry Provincial Park are weather-dependent and will only take place if conditions provide for the least impact on air quality in surrounding communities.