The Department of National Defence (DND) will conduct prescribed burns at Rocky Point in Metcnosin, where up to 50 hectares of land may be burned over three to five days between Thursday, Sept. 12 and mid-October.

A DND news release described the burning as a planned and controlled application of fire to a specific area. Prescribed burns are effective in mitigating wildfire risks, maintaining open natural landscapes for military training, and protecting and restoring Garry Oak ecosystems.

"Prescribed burning is the planned and controlled application of fire to a specific land area and is one of the most ecologically appropriate and efficient means for achieving public safety and resource management objectives," noted Lt(N) Wilson Ho, CFB Esquimalt public affairs officer, in an email.

"Since 2017, the program has been highly successful in achieving these objectives, largely due to the support and collaboration with several partners including the British Columbia Wildfire Service, Natural Resources Canada, Parks Canada and various other organizations," Lt(N) Ho said.

The burning will be conducted by the British Columbia Wildfire Service when weather and atmospheric conditions are most favourable and within site-specific fire indices. Some smoke will be generated during prescribed burns.