The BC Wildfire Service, in collaboration with the Gitanyow First Nation, is set to conduct a cultural burn project approximately one kilometer south of Gitanyow.
The burn will cover 271 hectares and could begin as early as Friday, April 4, 2025, if conditions are favorable.
Crews will use traditional and hand ignition techniques. Smoke may be visible to the Gitanyow community, the Village of Kitwanga, and drivers along Highway 16 and Highway 37.
This cultural burn aims to reduce hazardous fuels to protect the community, support evacuation routes, and create safe zones for fire suppression efforts.
It will also enhance the abundance and productivity of specific food and medicinal plants through Indigenous-led fire management, reinforcing the importance of fire as a tool for landscape stewardship.
The project provides an opportunity for the Gitanyow fire stewardship team to expand their skills and experience while working alongside the BC Wildfire Service, building trust and capacity for future initiatives.
