Prescribed burn planned near Doc English Road (Riske Creek)

Courtesy of the Cariboo Fire Centre (BC Wildfire Service):

The BC Wildfire Service in collaboration with the Cariboo-Chilcotin Natural Resource District will conduct an ecosystem restoration prescribed burn at the north end of Cotton Road near Riske Creek and Tl’esqox First Nation.

 

When and where

Burning is expected to begin as early as September 18, 2026, and may continue periodically until October 31.

The prescribed burn will cover approximately 29 hectares in size at the north end of Cotton Road near Riske Creek and Tl’esqox First Nation.

 

What to expect

Smoke and flames will be visible to motorists travelling along Highway 20, and may be visible to surrounding residences.

Crews will ignite forest fuels within pre-established boundaries to remove combustible materials.

Ignitions will only proceed with favorable weather and atmospheric venting, allowing smoke to clear quickly.

Personnel will remain on site until there is no risk of the fire spreading beyond the perimeter and return daily until the fire is out.

While burning is underway, traffic control may be on-site to ensure the safety of public and firefighters, short delays may occur.

Smoke from within the perimeter of the burn may be visible up to 72 hours after ignition.

Objectives of this prescribed burn

Reduce wildfire risk to the Tl’esqox First Nation and residences of Cotton Road and surrounding area.

Use fire to restore forest health to encourage a properly functioning ecosystem, improving the grassland forage for future wildlife and cattle grazing.

Strengthen collaboration between the Tl’esqox First Nation, the Cariboo-Chilcotin Natural Resource District - Range Branch and the Cariboo Fire Centre to grow capacity and knowledge for cultural and prescribed burning outside of emergency response situations.

 

Learn more

Fire is a natural process in many of B.C.’s ecosystems. The BC Wildfire Service works regularly with land managers to undertake fuel management activities, including the use of prescribed burns, to help reduce the severity of future wildfires and related threats to communities.

 

Learn more about prescribed burning online at prescribedfire.ca or find more resources here.

 

Reporting

To report an unattended campfire or open burning violation calling call the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277.

To report illegal fires in a local fire department’s jurisdiction, call 9-1-1.

Dial *5555 on a cell phone or call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free to report a wildfire.

Contact

Fire Information Officer

Cariboo Fire Centre | BC Wildfire Service

778 799-2100

CaFCInfo@gov.bc.ca

City of Williams Lake requests Provincial Funding for Dog Creek Road Remediation

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

On August 4, 2021, City of Williams Lake Council held a Special Committee of Whole Council meeting to discuss options to address the ongoing deterioration of the City-maintained portion of Dog Creek Road.

Council considered three options, and supported seeking Provincial funding for rehabilitation works for Dog Creek Road from Highway 20 to the municipal boundary. “We will be contacting the Province to request funding to cover the expense of the remediation work until such time as the ground water and resulting slide issues are addressed,” said Williams Lake Mayor Walt Cobb. “This has gone on long enough, and with increasing safety concerns we will be giving them a hard deadline of two weeks.”

To expedite the process, the City would facilitate the works upon confirmation of funding.

Should Provincial funding be significantly delayed or denied, the City would consider undertaking a road closure process. A closure would result in traffic being directed to other Provincial roadways, such as Roberts Drive or Bond Lake Road, with a view to rehabilitating and reopening that portion of Dog Creek Road once ground water/slide issues are permanently addressed.

“Council considered short-term repairs to Dog Creek Road, but this is a temporary and expensive band-aid that will not adequately address these worsening conditions,” said Councillor Scott Nelson. “Neither can we afford to continue to pay increasing maintenance costs. It is time for the Province to listen to all of its constituents. It’s only a matter of time before someone gets seriously injured or killed. That is simply not an option.”

Concerned residents are encouraged to send their concerns to the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, with a copy to Cariboo Chilcotin MLA Lorne Doerkson. The email addresses are as follows:

FLNR.Minister@gov.bc.ca

lorne.doerkson.MLA@leg.bc.ca