The B.C. government is purposely setting forest fires. Here's why.

The provincial government is continuing what they’re calling a “controlled burn” project on September 16 just two kilometres East of Pemberton. They will set forest fires to prevent larger ones from occurring in the future.

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The idea is to restore the forest understory, which largely consists of plant life growing beneath the canopy, while leaving the larger, older trees intact. Doing so will lower the chances of a fire happening by reducing combustible growth. It also stimulates berry production and reduces bug infestations.

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If you see a little smoke in the region on Wednesday, don’t panic – this is likely the reason and the government said they will have trained wildfire personnel closely monitoring the fire at all times. The fire will span about 20 hectares in size.

Smoke will be most visible in the community of D’Arcy, the Devine area and the Northern part of Portage Road in Pemberton.

The fire will be “low to moderate intensity” and will dissipate relatively quickly, according to the government release.

This past summer was one of the worst on record for forest fire activity, with a total of 1,600 wildfires blazing throughout B.C. The Rock Creek area was particularly devastated after 30 homes were lost, displacing hundreds of people.

The Red Cross stepped up and gathered donations at 196 BC Liquor Store locations to help people who were displaced by the fires get back on their feet, collecting more than $100,000 for aid in rent and lost work equipment.

Controlled burns in the #Pemberton region will take place between Wed, Sept.16 & Friday, Oct. 30, http://t.co/ENmRvv6z6N @BCGovFireInfo

— BC Government News (@BCGovNews) September 15, 2015