BCWS to conduct pile burning in Lindley Creek Road area

Beginning Tuesday, local residents may notice or smell smoke in the vicinity of the Lindley Creek Road area.

The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS)  in conjunction with the Cascades Natural Resource District are conducting a wildfire risk reduction project in the area with crews expecting to burn up to 200 piles of brush and debris and will continue for several months.

The purpose of this project, which has been ongoing for three years, is to help mitigate wildfire risk in the area by reducing the accumulation of fuels (e.g., tree limbs, woody debris, organic material).

Smoke may be visible from Merritt and surrounding areas including Lower Nicola, and to motorists travelling along Highway 8 and Highway 5.

The BCWS says the exact timing of this burn will depend on weather and site conditions, and will only proceed if conditions are suitable and allow for smoke dispersal during burn operations, though smoke may also linger in the following days.

For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air-quality advisories, visit: http://www.bcwildfire.ca.