Nelson Fire and Rescue with the support of the BC Wildfire Service will be conducting a prescribed burn sometime this spring on the Highway 6/3A interchange in Nelson.
The burn will cover up to 1.8 hectares targeting the continuous grass cover next to the interchange.
The exact timing of the burn will depend on weather and site conditions, but could take place as early as the first week of April, according to a news release.
“This is a great opportunity to not only reduce some of the risk in this area, where we’ve responded to a wildfire in the past, but also to share some knowledge between the two organizations,” said Chief Jeff Hebert of Nelson Fire and Rescue.
The goals of the project include reducing the build-up of continuous matted grass cover, ember receptivity, the risk of potential human-caused fires, and protecting the highway as a key evacuation corridor.
Burning will only proceed if conditions allow for the safety of nearby residents and for adequate smoke dispersal.
Smoke will be visible to motorists and may temporarily impact adjacent residents.
No road or lane closures are planned and the highway will be monitored for the duration of the burn. Nelson Fire and Rescue asks that drivers do not slow down or stop on the highway to watch operations, as this can create unsafe conditions for both staff and travellers.