The Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) fire department is set to burn an old house over the weekend, providing firefighters with a highly realistic training exercise.
The OKIB says the abandoned house is structurally dangerous and poses a risk to children and the community.
“If you see smoke rising over Reserve #1 over the weekend it is probably the OKIB Fire Department doing a controlled burn and training exercise on an abandoned house,” the OKIB said in a press release Friday.
The band says the house has been in disrepair for a long time but there are signs of ongoing activity inside, “and it’s just too unsafe for anyone to use.
By burning the house, firefighters will gain experience tackling a real structure fire. It’s the sort of practical training that the band says is done frequently when there is an opportunity for a win-win.
Killing two birds with one stone, the exercise will provide valuable training for firefighters while making the community safer by removing a dangerous structure.
READ MORE: Abandoned Kelowna home up in flames
READ MORE: Byron Louis narrowly wins Okanagan Indian Band election to return as chief