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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Factsheet |
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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Factsheet |
WILLIAMS
LAKE – The public is advised that the
Ministry of Forests and Range is planning to conduct prescribed fires in the
Riske Creek/Becher Prairie and Iron Wood Springs areas between April 6 and May
6, weather conditions permitting.
The
fires are planned for ecosystem restoration and forest health purposes. The
Riske Creek/Becher Prairie area burn will cover an estimated 300 hectares about
50 kilometres west of Williams Lake and north of Highway 20.
The burn in the Iron Wood Springs area will cover an
estimated 50 hectares about 25 kilometres west of Alexis Creek and south of
Highway 20, across the Siwash Bridge and south of the Chilcotin River.
Historically,
the grasslands in the Cariboo-Chilcotin were renewed through frequent,
low-intensity ground fires. Such fires prevented tree encroachment, rejuvenated
understory plants and maintained more open grasslands and forests with large
trees. The reintroduction of managed, low-intensity ground fires to these
grasslands is intended to restore and maintain the traditional grassland plant
communities that are natural for these areas. As well, some of the brush to be
burned in the Riske Creek/Becher Prairie area may harbour Douglas-fir bark
beetles, which pose a threat to the surrounding healthy forest.
This
fire is part of an ongoing restoration program administered by the provincial
government in collaboration with First Nations, local ranchers, Grasslands
Conservation Council, B.C. Wildlife Federation, and the Cariboo-Chilcotin
Conservation Society.
The
public is invited to contact the staff as noted below to discuss the use of
fire as a management tool and other aspects of the ecosystem restoration
program.
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contact: |
Ecosystem Restoration Team Leader 250 398-4398 |
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