The Gitanyow First Nation will be conducting a cultural burn in partnership with the B.C. Wildfire Service approximately one km south of Gitanyow.

The project is expected to begin as early as Friday, April 4, if the conditions allow for it.

Personnel will utilize traditional and hand ignition tactics to burn an area of 271 hectares.

Smoke may be visible along Highways 16 and 37, as well as to the Gitanyow community and village of Kitwanaga.

"The purpose of this cultural burn is to reduce hazardous fuels for community protection while supporting evacuation routes and establishing areas to engage in fire suppression. This burn will also increase the abundance and productivity for specific food and medicinal plants through Indigenous-led fire management. This will support the continued use of fire as a tool to improve the landscape," wrote the Gitanyow First Nation in a press release.

"This burn will continue to expand the knowledge and experience of the Gitanyow fire stewardship team while working together with BCWS to build trust and capacity," they continued.