Prescribed burn west of Williams Lake under control after brief escape

A prescribed burn west of Williams Lake was briefly out of control for a period of time on Thursday, September 12, west of Williams Lake. 

BC Wildfire Service information officer Madison Dahl said the Doc English prescribed burn was briefy spread beyond the set boundary.

"Ground crews actioned the fire quickly and the Doc English Prescribed Burn is now being held," Dahl said Friday, Sept. 13. 

A resident told Black Press Media the conditions are hot and dry in the Chilcotin, that the temperature had reached 25 C and the wind picked up in the area Thursday. 

Dahl said the Doc English prescribed burn's objectives included burning an area of approximately 25 hectares, improving and restoring open grasslands by reducing encroachment from trees and shrubs, consuming slashed material, and improve the grassland forage for future wildlife and cattle grazing.

"This prescribed burn achieved all objectives and covered an area of approximately 40 hectares. The additional 15 - 20 hectares, although not included in the initial prescribed burn area, are within an allowable additional area, which was scheduled for wildfire risk reduction treatment at a later date."

Dahl noted when the burn boss observed the increase in fire behaviour and identified that the fire was moving beyond initial control lines, the boss alerted operational staff, adjusted the burn's objectives, and actioned the fire accordingly.

As originally noted in a news release Thursday morning, the Doc English prescribed burn is part of an ongoing ecosystem restoration program administered in consultation with First Nations and local ranchers.

"Burning may continue periodically until September 20, 2024," Dahl said.