The B.C. Wildfire Service plans to burn 520 piles of wood debris over the next few months in the Merritt area starting this Monday, Oct. 5.

It says there will be pile burning expected to happen periodically until Dec. 20 in three different places as listed below:

• Fox Farm: 154 piles east of Highway 5, near the 5 km mark on Fox Farm Road
• Rodeo Grounds: 326 piles southwest of Merritt, 2 km up Lindley Creek Road
• North Nicola: 40 piles along North Nicola Road, between the 2.5 km and 3.5 km mark

Open burning restrictions across Kamloops Fire Centre came to end on Sept. 30, and the Wildfire Service says people in and around Merritt can expect to see smoke while these fires burn.

“The goal of the burning is to help manage wildfire risk, rehabilitate the landscape, and reduce accumulations of forest fuels of interface zones around the community,” noted the Wildfire Service, in a statement.

“The goal of rehabilitating these areas is to reduce the threat of erosion and promote the re-establishment of vegetation. Removal of these debris piles will also help reduce the threat of unwanted wildfires in the area by reducing the amount of fuel that’s available to burn.”

The exact times of the burns will depend on site, weather, and snow conditions. For more information, click here.

And as always to report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, people are being urged to call 1 800-663-5555 toll free or *5555 on a cellphone.