The BC Wildfire Service says smoke will be visible in the area of Stake Lake, south of Kamloops, Wednesday as it conducts an “essential” live fire training exercise.

It says there will be 11 burn piles lit in the area between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., May 15, with all piles less than two metres in height and 3 meters in width.

“This exercise is part of mandatory annual training to prepare BC Wildfire Service staff for the fire season,” the Wildfire Service said, noting smoke will be visible from the surrounding area and to travelers on Highway 5 and Lac Le Jeune Road.

“By conducting this critical live fire exercise now, new crew leaders will have an opportunity to locate, respond and work through the process of managing a new wildfire incident within a controlled environment as we head into the 2024 fire season.”

The Wildfire Service says the live fire training exercise is part of its Provincial Crew Leader Training Camp. It says around 70 firefighters with suppression tools and equipment will be on site to ensure a “safe and effective exercise.”

“Experienced BC Wildfire Service staff and instructors are involved extensively throughout the exercise,” the BCWS added.