The City of Williams Lake will be conducting controlled burns over the next few weeks to improve the city’s resilience to and reduce the risk of wildfires.
As part of the city’s FireSmart initiative, prescribed burns will take place across the city including at the water tower hill on Gibbon Street, the park and hillside near Lake City Secondary School, the Williams Lake Stampede Grounds and the lands between the Country Club Boulevard and the Westridge subdivision.
“If you see fires in these areas over the next few weeks, know that this is critical work to help reduce the impacts of future forest fires,” said Taya Vanderkop-Girard, the city’s FireSmart Coordinator.
The burns, conducted in partnership with the BC Wildfire Service, will reduce the risk of fire by removing flammable materials such as dry grass and debris. They will be done on days with favourable weather to allow for the smoke to dissipate quickly.
The city is also encouraging residents to FireSmart their properties, which can be done;....
For a quick guide on FireSmarting your home, download FireSmart BC’s tips manual, which includes recommendations such as keeping grass and weeds below 10 centimetres and clearing out combustible materials everywhere, including under your deck if you have one.
Residents can also get a free FireSmart assessment of their property by visiting firesmartbc.ca or emailing firesmart@williamslake.ca.
If you have questions about the burns, contact Vanderkop-Girard at tvanderkop-girard@williamslake.ca or by calling 250-392-4321.
