Cultural burn smoke may be visible around Smithers through May

The BC Wildfire Service and Wetzin’kwa Community Forest will be performing a cultural burn about 23 kilometres west of Smithers.

It is being done in partnership with the Office of the Wet’suwet’en covering up to 14.2 hectares along McDonell Lake Forest Service Road.

Smoke may be visible from Highway 16, Smithers, Telkwa, and surrounding communities.

Exact times for the burn will depend on weather and site conditions between May 3 and 31.

The goal of the burn is to return culturally important food and medicinal plants, bring fire back onto Wet’suwet’en Yintah (territory), and Reduce hazardous fine fuels.