Burns Lake
Burns Lake is a rural village in the North-western-Central Interior of British Columbia, Canada, incorporated in 1923. The village had a population of 1,659 as of the 2021 Census.
Burns Lake | |
|---|---|
Village | |
| The Corporation of the Village of Burns Lake | |
Downtown 2011 | |
Burns Lake Location of Burns Lake in British Columbia | |
| Coordinates: 54°13′45″N 125°45′45″W | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | British Columbia |
| Region | Nechako Country |
| Regional district | Bulkley-Nechako |
| Incorporated | 1923 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipal |
| • Governing body | Burns Lake Village Council |
| • Mayor | Henry Wiebe |
| • Councillors | Darrell Hill Kevin White Charlie Rensby Kristy Bjarnson |
| Area | |
| • Total | 6.59 km2 (2.54 sq mi) |
| • Land | 6.59 km2 (2.54 sq mi) |
| • Water | 0.00 km2 (0.00 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 720 m (2,360 ft) |
| Population (2021) | |
| • Total | 1,659 |
| • Density | 269.8/km2 (699/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC−08:00 (PST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−07:00 (PDT) |
| Area code | 250 |
| Highway | British Columbia Highway 16 |
| Waterways | Burns Lake |
| Website | Village of Burns Lake |
The village is known for its rich First Nations heritage, and for its network of mountain biking trails, which have received acclaim by becoming Canada's first IMBA Ride Centre. In winter, cross country skiing trails and snowmobile wilderness trails are created. Burns Lake is located in the midst of a large networks of lakes called the Lakes District, with fishing and hunting year round, and water activities in the summer months.
There are two First Nations reserves that are part of the town, and another four nearby, making it one of the few communities in the province that have almost equal populations of persons of native or European descent. Local nations include Wetʼsuwetʼen First Nation, Lake Babine Nation, Cheslatta Carrier Nation, Ts'il Kaz Koh First Nation, Skin Tyee First Nation and Nee-Tahi-Buhn Band.
The town serves as a hub for the local logging, saw-milling, mining and tourist industries. It also serves as the main commercial centre for the surrounding area including François Lake, Colleymount, Grassy Plains, Rose Lake, Topley, and Granisle. There are three pubs, several cafes and restaurants a selection of stores, hotels and motels, and services including a library and a hospital. It is also the location of the head offices of the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako.