Wildfire mitigation work along the Birchwood Trail System has wrapped up, bringing an end to scheduled work on the trail system.
Phase 2B of the FireSmart project removed dead, down and unhealthy trees from 20.6 hectares along the trail system.
Between October 2016 and March 2019, crews treated 125 hectares along the perimeter of the trail system through Phase 2A and 2B by removing trees and thinning combustible evergreen trees.
Fire Chief Jody Butz said that while the initial project is complete, work will need to continue as trees and vegetation continues to grow.
“We together have reduced the risk of wildfire through the use of FireSmart mitigation tools. I want everyone to keep things in perspective that the work that we’ve done has reduced the risk. It is for a purpose and it is with intent.”
Butz adds that while burning in that area is done, it may be needed again in the coming years to continue to mitigate the risk of wildfires.
There are other ongoing FireSmart projects Anzac, Conklin and Fort Chipewyan.
In October, the region won the FireSmart Community Protection Achievement Award for being dedicated to reducing the risk of wildfires.
