iN VIDEO: Highly flammable invasive plant spreading in North Okanagan

While the yellow flowers of Scotch broom might be pretty, the invasive plant is cause for concern as its high oil content makes it highly flammable, posing an increase to wildfire risk. Found in dry forest areas, along power line corridors and highways, the colourful plant is spreading throughout southwest British Columbia https://allard.ubc.ca/about-us/blog/2023/scotch-broom-sweeps-through-bc-limited-options-bc-individuals-enforce-invasive-plant-control and has been reported in the Kootenays, North Okanagan and Shuswap, according to the Invasive Species Council of BC. A long-time problem on Vancouver Island, Scotch broom is an escaped garden plant https://bcinvasives.ca/invasives/scotch-broom/ that originally came from Europe. It takes over sunny, disturbed sites and can be found on rangelands and roadsides. The plant poses a risk beyond wildfires, as it crowds out native plant species that animals feed on. It spreads rapidly, growing year-round and producing thousands of seed pods that can remain viable for three decades. READ MORE: In secret, OKIB council members awarded themselves a huge pay increase https://infotel.ca/newsitem/in-secret-okib-council-members-awarded-themselves-a-huge-pay-increase/it105959 While the plant is not found in Kamloops yet, it is labelled as high alert by the Thompson Nicola Regional District. https://www.tnrd.ca/invasive_plant/scotch-broom/ Integrated pest management supervisor with the district, Colleen Hougen, said there have been recorded sightings of the plant in the region in the past five years but the plants were either treated or misidentified.  “We definitely don’t want it spreading here.” The shrubs have woody stems and grow up to three metres in height and can live for 25 years. The flowers are bright yellow with red markings in the middle with lower leaves having three leaflets. Due a deep root system, the plants are hard to remove with the provincial invasive council suggesting cutting plants close to the soil before flowers set seed and hand pull smaller plants before flowering.  Mulching after pulling is effective and there are registered herbicides available. READ MORE: Beware of black henbane, a poisonous destructive plant in Kamloops, Okanagan https://infotel.ca/newsitem/beware-of-black-henbane-a-poisonous-destructive-plant-in-kamloops-okanagan/it105767 Designated as a Regional Containment/Control species by the BC Provincial Priority Invasive Species List, Scotch broom is one of five species of concern listed in a media release issued by the Invasive Council of BC on July 30 in a plea to the public to identify and help prevent the spread of invasive species in the province. Also listed are goldfish https://infotel.ca/newsitem/dont-let-it-loose-why-invasive-goldfish-in-kelowna-pond-is-a-problem/it105392 , spotted knapweed, European green crab, and zebra and quagga mussels https://infotel.ca/newsitem/bc-fish-face-new-threat-from-microscopic-parasite-as-government-funding-dries-up/it102552 . “Invasive species add more robust fuel to wildfires, and they are among the first to establish in disturbed areas – after floods and fires,” said executive director of the council Gail Wallin in the release. “What we plant in our gardens, how we wipe down our fishing gear and drain our boats, and what we do with pets like goldfish when we can no longer care for them – the good choices we make, can prevent the worst.” This year the Invasive Species Strategy for B.C. 2024-2028 https://bcinvasives.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Invasive-Species-Strategy-for-British-Columbia-2024-2028-WEB.pdf came together with input from numerous leaders and agencies to address the growing threat of invasive species over the next five years, particularly in the context of climate change.  To contact a reporter for this story, email Shannon Ainslie mailto:sainslie@infonews.ca  or call 250-819-6089 or email the editor mailto:news@infonews.ca . You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom mailto:tips@infonews.ca  and be entered to win a monthly prize draw. We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter here https://infotel.ca/newsletter .