Open burn scheduled in Vernon

Photo: Contributed - Kyle Sanguin

File photo

Vernon residents may notice a hint of smoke in the air as the snow touches the ground.

Vernon Fire-Rescue Services (VFRS) along with the Ministry of Forests will be conducting a large-scale burn following the first major snowfall.

The burn is part of the Community Wildfire Protection Plan, which targets specific areas for fuel modification says Tanya Laing Gahr, communications co-ordinator with the City of Vernon. 

"In this case, a high-risk area within the City of Vernon that has a large buildup of dead fall from mountain pine beetles and a history of numerous lightning strikes."

The property scheduled for the burn is a large property of approximately 200 hectares (500 acres) on the north slope of the ridge above the Rise Golf Course and extending back toward Canadian Lake Estates.

The dead fall will be collected into small piles and burned, and closely monitored by VFRS, says Laing Gahr.

"Due to the large area, work will begin in November after the first major snowfall in order to maintain safe conditions for the disposal of the dead fall."

Laing Gahr advises that although the burning will be carried out such that there will be very little impact to residents, people should be aware that there may be smoke plumes on the northwestern border of the city.