The Department of National Defence says it will be conducting three to five days of prescribed burns on its land at Metchosin’s Rocky Point by mid-October.
As in past years, as much as 50 hectares of land could be burned. The burns, which were expected to begin as early as Thursday, will be conducted by the B.C. Wildfire Service, and times will be determined by weather, fuel moisture and fire conditions.
The wildfire service said the burn site is 13 kilometres southeast of Sooke on the southern tip of 91原创 Island, and smoke may be visible to residents in Victoria and surrounding communities.
“Burning will proceed if conditions are suitable and allow for smoke dispersal during burn operations, though light smoke may linger in the following days,” it said in a statement.
Such burns are intended to reduce wildfire risks, maintain open areas for military training and protect Garry oak ecosystems, the agencies said.
“Key goals are to mimic naturally occurring ground fires, reduce the accumulations of dead and combustible material, and decrease the risk of future catastrophic wildfires in the area,” the B.C. Wildfire Service said.
Prescribed burns on the property have been undertaken since 2017, it said.
