Cultural burn project near Nicola Lake to wrap up in early March

Another prescribed burn is set to take place near Merritt in early March.

The BC Wildfire Service says it’s assisting the Upper Nicola Band in carrying out a cultural burn on Quilchena Indian Reserve No. 1, adjacent to Nicola Lake and nearly 25 kilometres northeast of Merritt.

In a news release issued Thursday (Feb. 19), the wildfire service says the cultural burn project was identified in 2024. It covers a total of 30 hectares spread between multiple treatment units, with the wildfire service saying nearly 15 hectares remain.

Smoke may be visible from the Upper Nicola Band, Quilchena, Nicola Lake, the surrounding areas, and along Highway 5A.

The exact timing of this burn will depend on weather and site conditions, but the wildfire service says it could begin as early as Monday, March 2.

Goals of the prescribed burn include reducing the build-up of dead grass, promoting the growth of traditional foods, removing forest fuels to reduce the long-term wildfire risk and improving ungulate winter grazing.

Another 50-hectare cultural burn nearly six kilometres west of Merritt off Highway 8 and 97C could begin as early as March 2.