Fraser Canyon First Nation to conduct cultural burn of up to 10 hectares next week
FRASER CANYON — A Fraser Canyon First Nation band plans to conduct a cultural burn next week with help from BC Wildfire Service crews that could encompass as many as 10 hectares.
According to a statement from BCWS, the Boothroyd Indian Band north of Boston Bar has a goal of restoring and improving the productivity of plants used for traditional food and medicinal activities, and reducing the risk of future wildfires in the wildland urban interface. BCWS says the cultural burn will minimize the impact and number of invasive species while promoting native plant species important to the Boothroyd.
The burn location is in the Fraser Zone of the Coastal Fire Centre, approximately 1 kilometre north of the Boothroyd Indian Band on Indian Reserve land and will cover up to 10 hectares. Previous portions of this area were burned in May 2024 with BC Wildfire Service supporting the Boothroyd community. This phase of the project was captured on video. This cultural burn will maintain the occurrence of traditional fire practice on the landscape.
“This is also a valuable cross-training opportunity for BC Wildfire Service to work with Boothroyd’s Initial Response crew,” BCWS said in a statement. “This plan has been developed under the guidance and support of the Boothroyd Chief and Council.”
