Merritt Fire and Rescue Department will commence prescribed burns in Merritt Bench area

MERRITT — Prescribed burning operations are slated to commence in Merritt this Spring

they will take place above Mountain Drive in the Bench area, with the tentative start date set for today (March 14th, 2024.)

The prescribed burns are scheduled to persist until the end of April, or longer, concluding upon the onset of green-up.

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.

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 (WUI) as part of a fire safety and prevention program.

CFJC- Grass Fire

The prescribed burns help reduce fuel for forest fires and help ecologically as well restoring areas that otherwise would need natural forest fires to do so. The burns also prevent possible damage to nearby homes and businesses.

Fire is a normal, natural process in many of British Columbia’s ecosystems. Many species of plants, birds, insects and other animals depend on fire for its regenerative properties.

Fire helps control insects and the spread of disease in forests. It also contributes to forest regeneration, as younger trees replace older trees. Having trees of various ages in a forest helps create biodiversity.

Prescribed burning is one of the tools used by forest professionals to achieve land management objectives. For example, fire can be used to enhance habitat for cattle, deer, bighorn sheep and moose.

Firefighting Truck | Q101 News

A controlled burn also can reduce fuel loads (combustible material such as underbrush and dead wood) and reduce the risk of wildfire in interface areas (where urban development borders on rural areas).

All prescribed burns must comply with the Environmental Management Act and the open burning smoke control regulation.

This helps minimize the amount of smoke generated.

A prescribed burn is ignited and continuously monitored by trained firefighting crews to ensure that the fire does not get out of control.