Eight areas in the City of Nelson will undergo wildfire mitigation efforts this month, totaling over ten hectares of city-owned land.
Crews will start their efforts in the larger area near the cemetery and continue into other units west of Gyro Park and various other forested areas throughout the city.
A statement from Nelson Fire Rescue states that the work is part of the city’s ongoing efforts to reduce the risk of wildfires in key areas.
The project will focus on selective fuel reduction. Primary work will include thinning and spacing younger conifer trees, pruning branches up to two or three metres from the ground, and removing dead trees and woody debris.
These efforts, according to the fire service, will help reduce the chances of a surface fire climbing into the canopy through what are called “ladder fuels” and spreading to nearby trees.
“By addressing downed material and excessive debris, the overall fuel load is reduced, lowering the potential intensity and spread of a wildfire. Additionally, fires that occur in areas that have been treated are significantly easier for response crews to manage,” said NFRS.
In most of the treatment areas, the cut branches and debris will be chipped and transported off-site for disposal.
In the larger treatment area adjacent to the cemetery, pile burning will be utilized to manage the debris in a cost-effective manner and return nutrients to the soil. Crews will monitor the piles at all times, with water and suppression equipment readily available.
All burning will be conducted in full compliance with provincial smoke management regulations under appropriate venting conditions to minimize the impacts of smoke in the community.
A local forestry crew has been contracted to conduct the fuel modification initiative, which is being fully funded through the Province’s Community Resiliency Investment Program.
The treatments this fall are expected to be completed by December, weather permitting.
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