Controlled burn reduces fire risk in Vernon neighbourhood

A wildland fuel management project in the Foothils area of Vernon has been completed in less time than expected.

A private contractor started conducting low risk, category 2 small pile burning on a 10-acre parcel of city-owned land Wednesday. The work is part of a larger fuel mitigation project that began in 2019, to reduce the risk of serious wildfire and return the area to a more natural state.

“Originally, we anticipated up to five days of burn activity would be needed to take care of the debris and tree trimmings that had been prepared for this portion of the project,” said Fire Chief David Lind. “However, the contractor and his team managed to complete the work in just two days, thanks in part to excellent weather conditions and venting. We’re pleased to say the piles burned down quickly and there was minimal smoke impact to the neighbourhood.”

Recent hot, dry weather has led the BC Wildfire Service to increase the wildfire danger rating in Vernon to moderate-to-high, which means the quick completion of the work was important for everyone’s safety.