City of Merritt prepares for Prescribed Burns by Pine Ridge Cemetary

MERRITT  — As part of the City of Merritt’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan, the fire department regularly conducts prescribed burns of surface fuels within the Wildland Urban Interface

The Merritt Fire Rescue Department will be gathering small piles of woody debris this coming week.

When weather and venting conditions permit, fire crews will burn the debris the following week.

Prep Work starts today (February 26, 2024) while Ignition and Fuel Removal starts March 4th, 2024. The location will be adjacent to the Pine Ridge Cemetary and Juniper Drive.

Ignition will only occur if conditions are suitable and will allow for quick smoke dissipation.

If local weather and venting conditions are acceptable, the burn will commence around March 4th.

McDougall Creek Fire – Joey Hall

With the snowpack being very limited this year the province is expecting a very dry and hot summer.

After a record breaking wildfire season in 2023, this year is expected to be a challenge as well.

BC Premier David Eby has invested funds into this year’s Firefighting programs in hopes the province will be much more prepared this time around.

Merritt Fire and Rescue are also hiring and always looking for volunteers if anyone is interested.