Open burning gets green light

Residents may notice smoke in the Smith Creek area of West Kelowna, but there is no cause for alarm.

The city said it’s part of wildfire mitigation near the Powers Creek water treatment plant.

“The fire chief has permitted registered professional foresters to conduct and monitor burning of debris as part of wildfire mitigation work,” said a city news release.

The burning will be conducted when conditions allow.

The city has been working with the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development to plan the mitigation projects and has received approval for the burning plan.

“The Province of British Columbia is supporting the project through a grant awarded last year under the Community Resiliency Investment Program,” said the release.

West Kelowna Fire Rescue has also issued a permit to Wiltech Developments conduct burning on days when conditions permit at 2802 Smith Creek Road.