UPDATE 3:45 p.m. – The BC Wildfire Service says it will be conducting a pair of prescribed burns northeast of Merritt next week.

It says the first one will be roughly 314 hectares in size while the other will be 79 hectares. The larger burn will about 33 kilometres northeast of Merritt, while the smaller one will be about 23 kilometres northeast, adjacent to Quilchena.

Both burns – which will be done in partnership with the Upper Nicola Band and Upper Nicola Fire Department – are expected to begin as soon as March 11, and continue until mid-April or until grass is too green to burn.

“The objectives of this project are to reduce the build-up of dead grass and promote the growth of traditional foods, to aid in community protection through the removal of fuel in Wildland Urban Interface areas, and to provide critical cross training opportunities for BC Wildfire Service Personnel, the Upper Nicola Band and Upper Nicola Fire Department,” the BC Wildfire Service said, in a statement.

“The work completed will be dependent on local weather and venting conditions and burning will not be done unless conditions are favourable.”

The Wildlife Service says people travelling on Highway 5A as well as residents near Douglas, Quilchena, and Nicola lakes may see smoke in the areas while these burns are underway.