File photo. (Image Credit: BC Wildfire Service)

By Elora McCormack

Cultural Burn

Cultural burn sparks south of Merritt

Mar 19, 2026 | 10:06 AM

MERRITT — The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) is supporting the Coldwater Indian Band on Thursday (March 19) in a cultural burn south of Merritt.

BCWS officials said the project covers a total of 65 hectares between multiple treatment areas. This work involves the final 35 hectares needed to complete the job.

The target location is on Coldwater IR #1, about 10 kilometres southwest of Merritt.

BCWS said the Coldwater Indian Band’s burn has several goals:

• Bringing a natural process back to the land base.
• Reducing a build-up of dead combustible material.
• Improving winter grazing conditions.
• Removing forest fuels, reducing long-term wildfire risks.

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The BCWS said this burn also has a side benefit of providing cross-training with the Coldwater Indian Band Fire Department, and an opportunity for the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology Fire Ecology Department to see live fire.

“Fire is a normal and natural process in many of B.C.’s ecosystems. The BC Wildfire Service works regularly with a range of partners to undertake fuel management activities (including the use of controlled burns) to help reduce the severity of future wildfires and related threats to communities,” the BCWS said.

“These projects are carefully planned and only go ahead at the right times and under the right conditions to ensure community and practitioner safety.”

Smoke will likely be visible from Merritt, Coldwater Indian Band, surrounding areas and to motorists travelling along Highway 5 and 5A.