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Northwest Fire Centre issues open fire caution

A forecast of warm and dry weather has the Northwest Fire Centre urging residents to use extreme caution with any open burning this weekend.

With the forecast of warm and dry weather in the Bulkley Valley and surrounding areas, the Northwest Fire Centre is urging residents to use extreme caution when doing any open burning this weekend.

The forest fuels, despite the recent bout of cooler evenings and autumn conditions, remain dry in many areas. Burning should only be done away from overhead branches, wood and other combustible materials.

Residents doing open burning are reminded to have enough people, water and tools on hand to control the fire and prevent it from escaping, never burn in windy conditions, never leave a fire unattended and  to make sure the fire is completely extinguished and the embers are cold before leaving the area.

Anyone planning a large-scale industrial burn (Category 3) must call 1 888 797-1717 to obtain a burn registration number ahead of time. More information is available at: http://bcwildfire.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/Bans.asp

During the warm weather, residents in the Northwest Fire Centre may see smoke or haze from three “modified response” fires within the region.

The fire located near Good Hope Lake has been contained on the south and west flanks, but the rest of the fire area is free to expand.

Two fires are currently burning in provincial parks.

A fire near Morice Lake is around 1,500 hectares in size and a fire near Entiako Lake is estimated at 60 hectares.

It is anticipated that during the warmer weather, smoke from these fires may be visible in communities from Burns Lake to Kitimat.

These fires will be monitored over the weekend.

The “modified response” approach to these fires takes into account that fire is a natural part of the forest’s life cycle.

Fire returns nutrients to the soil, resulting in new growth and the creation of habitat that is preferred by some wildlife.

Fire also helps remove the build-up of fuels and creates a natural firebreak that will make it easier to deal with future fires.