Wildfire Fuel Reduction Program

The District of Elkford and Regional District of East Kootenay’s 2010-2011 Job Opportunities Program is underway. The program will carry out forestry work to reduce the threat of forest fires, and will focus on priority areas that have been identified for tree removal or modification based on the District’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan. The program has been planned to reduce hazards to the public, and the risks of forest fires.

A community information session is planned for Wednesday September 15 at seven PM at the Recreation Centre. The Director, Fire Rescue and Emergency Services and the contractor will present information, and answer any questions.

The contractors will use low-impact manual methods for fuel treatments. Performing these operations in the fall and winter will avoid bird nesting season and the fire hazards of the summer months. As the treatments are being implemented by hand, the impact on aesthetic values will be low in contrast to those that occur when heavy machinery is used. Debris from the treatments will be piled and burned on site to reduce the impacts to the site and recreational users.

Maps showing the planned work areas will be posted on the District’s website. Residents living next to planned work areas will receive an information package. Residents are reminded that each area is closed during treatment operations. Residents are asked to avoid these locations when crews are working, as safety hazards exist.

Treatments in areas shown below are summarized as;

Block 1: 5.4 ha
Thin from below to 300-700 stems per hectare

Block 2: 6.4 ha
Surface fuel and thin below to 300-500 stems per hectare

Block 3: 4.6 ha
Surface fuel and thin below to 300-500 stems per hectare

Block 4: 1.2 ha
Dead pine removal and thin from below to 4-5 m spacing

Block 5: 14.1 ha
Complete removal of Pole Sapling pine and other species. Retain mature healthy trees

Block 6: 2.2 ha
Complete removal of Pole Sapling pine and other species. Retain mature healthy trees

Link (Prescription)

Map of treatment areas