Prep work will begin Monday for a cultural burn, which could take place as soon as Tuesday October 21 or in the coming weeks depending on weather conditions.
The BC Wildfire Service and BC Parks are working collaboratively with the Lower Similkameen Indian Band to conduct phase II of a cultural burn covering up to 170 hectares in the western section of the South Okanagan Grasslands Protected area. This project is being implemented with support from the B.C. Wildlife Federation. The project area is located about 16 kilometres west of Osoyoos, northwest of the Canada Chopaka and United States Nighthawk Port of Entry. The project area lies within the traditional area of the smǝlqmíx people and is known as akɬʕpas (Place of the Nighthawk).
The cultural burn is intended to restore grassland health and ecosystems that support native plants and wildlife.
The B.C. Wildlife Federation has been engaged for more than a year on this multi-agency project.
“We’re thrilled to partner with the Lower Similkameen Indian Band, the Province of B.C. and the Government of Canada on this project,” said Zeman. “Research has shown that prescribed burns can have positive effects on biodiversity, from species at risk such as badgers, to large mammals such as mule deer, along with trees, shrubs, and grasses.”
First Nations have a long history of using cultural burns to maintain productive grasslands for the benefit of keystone species.
Over a century of fire suppression has created ingrowth and conifer encroachment which have increased fuel loads, encroached on grasslands, and encouraged sage infestation. Increased fuel loads lead to more intense wildfires that are difficult to control, burn hotter, damage soil, raze healthy forests, and damage property.