Selous Creek Fuel Management

Updated May 3, 2023

Nelson, BC: The BC Wildfire Service will be supporting the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) and Kalesnikoff Lumber Company, in conducting a prescribed burn covering up to 65.2 hectares in the Selous Creek area about two kilometres south of Nelson, to help reduce wildfire threats.

The exact timing of this burn will depend on weather and site conditions, but it could begin as early as Friday, May 5, 2023 and continuing into spring as conditions permit. Burning will proceed if conditions are suitable and allow for smoke dispersal during burn operations, though smoke may also linger in the following days. Smoke may impact residents near the burn area and may be visible from Nelson and surrounding areas, and to motorists travelling along Highway 6 and 3A.

Due to the prescribed burn, a portion of the Nelson Salmo Great Northern Rail Trail will have both limited access and detours south of Stanley Street. Please adhere to all signage and instructions from flaggers on the trail.

This project has been a collaboration over the last five years with several project partners including the RDCK, Kalesnikoff Lumber, BC Wildfire Service, City of Nelson, Selkirk College, and consultants. The outcome of the fuel management project aims at reducing wildfire risk in Selous Creek near the City of Nelson by modifying the fuel load and completing a prescribed burn. This unique project started with funding support from the Forest Enhancement Society of BC and is an example of the high level of collaboration between regional and municipal governments, fire services and a local timber licensee.

This complex project covers an area of approximately 80 hectares (ha). The following phases of treatment are completed:

65 ha of mechanical harvesting by Kalesnikoff Lumber;
20 ha of mechanical fuel modification to pile debris;
35 ha of machine-tethered and hand fuel modification to create a debris-free fireguard around the outer perimeter of the harvested area and around reserve patches;
5.5 ha of understory hand treatment along The Vein bike trail and surrounding areas; and,
7.5 ha of understory hand treatment along the Rail Trail.

If you have questions, please contact project manager John Cathro at cathro@netidea.com or 250.505.3513.