(Image Credit: BC Wildfire Service/File Photo)

By Elora McCormack

Planned Burns

Several planned burns scheduled for Williams Lake area

Apr 5, 2026 | 12:00 PM

WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. —The Williams Lake First Nation and Recreation Sites and Trails BC are collaborating with the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) on several separate controlled burning projects over the coming weeks.

The Williams Lake First Nation is conducting a pair of ecosystem restoration burns, both of which could continue periodically until April 25.

The BCWS said the burn in the Pablo Creek area is targeting 11 hectares of land north of the Sheep Creek Bridge on the east side of the Fraser River and Highway 20, about 15 kilometres west of Williams Lake.

Meanwhile, crews will also work on burning about four hectares in the Esler Road area, next to to Highway 20.

The BCWS is also working with Recreation Sites and Trails BC to target nine hectares of land in the Chimney and Felker Lake recreation sites. Work here is expected to continue periodically until Monday, April 6.

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Burns are also planned on approximately 18 hectares section of land near Nemiah Valley Lodge and on approximately 30 hectares including the Xeni Gwet’in Rodeo Grounds within the Declared Title Area, adjacent to Nemiah Valley Road.

Both these projects were also due to begin as early as April 1 and wrap up by April 6 and April 10 respectively.

The BCWS said its crews will burn ground fuels to remove combustible materials and mimic natural wildland fires. It noted that these fires – which will only go ahead if weather and smoke venting conditions allow – will reduce local wildfire risks and restore grassland and forest health.

“Firefighters will closely monitor the fire activity at all times during the burn,” said the BCWS. “Personnel will remain on-site into the evening to ensure the perimeter of the fire is fully extinguished at the end of each day and will only leave once there is no risk of the fire spreading.”

People in the adjoining areas are being told that smoke from within the perimeter of the burn may be visible up to 72 hours after ignition.