If you see smoke near the Shackan Indian Band in the Merritt area tomorrow, it’s likely from a prescribed burn in the area.

The BC Wildfire Service says the burn will go ahead, weather permitting, to reduce wildfire risks in the area.

The government says the burn will also enhance traditional values on land used by the Shackan Indian Band.

The surface fire will be hot enough to reduce or eliminate sagebrush, fine fuels, invasive species and weeds, but not hot enough to scorch soils, desirable shrubs or leafed trees.

In a release, they say this will allow nutrients to be released into the soil over the next few years while increasing the amount of pinegrass, bunchgrass, rabbit brush and arrow-leaved balsamroot growing in the area.

If the conditions aren’t favourable, the burn will take place on another date between March 28 and April 15.