Kootenay Boundary Projects

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Project Title Project Proponent Society Purpose Full Proposal Description Closest Community
Kootenay Boundary Region
Full Forest Utilization for Mercer Celgar Pulp Mill Mercer Celgar Forest Carbon Mercer Celgar is actively working to facilitate and increase fibre utilization, recovering material that would otherwise be burned on site. Increased recovery results in less burning which avoids the immediate release of carbon into the atmosphere associated with the burning of wood wastes. Utilization can minimize the overall residual fibre on site by factors of 10 to 90%. This project involves working with forest tenure holders to increase fibre utilization and support the transportation of residual fibre for use at Mercer Celgar facilities. Castlegar
Skookumchuck Pulp Bush Grinding Program Skookumchuck Pulp Inc. Forest Carbon Through this project, Skookumchuck Pulp Mill will be able to recover uneconomic fibre from the Rocky Mountain trench area, resulting in the reduction of carbon emissions by utilizing the residual waste fibre left over from harvesting to produce green energy instead. The ground wood waste will be used at Skookumchuck Pulp Mill's cogeneration plant to make green electricity, resulting in an overall reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by avoiding pile burning of the residual waste. Skookumchuck
Kalesnikoff Utilization/Incremental Haul of Residual Fibre Kalesnikoff Lumber Co. Ltd./Mercer Celgar Forest Carbon This project supports the utilization of fibre that would otherwise be burned in the forest by supporting the recovery and transportation of the uneconomic fibre. The project also reduces costs associated with potential wildfire mitigation work by removing logging debris from cut blocks as more non-merchantable biomass will be removed to a secondary manufacturing site. This results in an overall increase in fibre recovery and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions created from burning residual fibre. Castlegar
Cooper Creek Utilization/Incremental Haul of Residual Fibre Cooper Creek Cedar Ltd/Mercer Celgar Forest Carbon The goal of this project was complete stand harvesting and utilization. During the harvesting phase, which typically only targets sawlog quality wood, all uneconomic fibre and dead-standing logs were also cleared and brought to a landing for sorting. At the landing, all uneconomic fibre was sorted out and then trucked alongside the sawlogs, maximizing fibre recovery and utilization. This activity significantly reduced the volume of uneconomic fibre left on site to be burned or left as potential wildfire fuel which, in turn, reduces potential greenhouse gas emissions resulting from burning fibre. Balfour
Utilizing Residual Fibre on Nakusp Wildfire Risk Reduction Treatment Area Nakusp and Area Community Forest - NACFOR Forest Carbon The goal of this project is to recover about 1600 cubic meters of residual fibre left over from harvesting close to 20 hectares near Nakusp, BC. Removing this fibre from site, instead of leaving it on site to be burned, results in an overall reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The removed residual fibre will be converted into pulp products which continue to store carbon long-term. The site will also be replanted with seedlings to continue carbon sequestration on site. An additional benefit of this activity is the reduction of wildfire risk through the removal of potential fuel from an identified high risk wildfire area. Nakusp
Harrop Residual Fibre Utilization and Incremental Haul Harrop-Procter Community Co-operative Forest Carbon This project is focused in the community forest around Harrop and Procter, located on the south shore of the west arm of Kootenay Lake. The aim of the Harrop-Procter Community Co-operative (HPCC) is to reduce wildfire risk by thinning dense forest to develop a shaded fuel break while retaining the largest and most fire-resistant trees and to utilize any fibre removed. Instead of being burned on site, residual and otherwise uneconomic fibre will be transported for use as pulp logs resulting in an overall reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by avoiding burning and reducing potential wildfire fuel loading. Harrop
2020 Residual Fibre Utilization Project Stella-Jones Inc. Forest Carbon The goal of this project is to recover residual fibre left over from harvesting activity around Revelstoke BC and augment the utilization of this material instead of it being left behind on site and burned. Transporting the fibre to a pulp mill avoids greenhouse gas emissions which result from pile burning and enhances overall fibre utilization. Revelstoke
Skookumchuck Pulp - Residual Fibre Utilization Skookumchuck Pulp Inc. Forest Carbon The goal of this project is to assist in using low value pulp logs currently considered uneconomical to Skookumchuck Pulp Inc.’s mill. The project enables the utilization of approximately 110,000 cubic metres of residual forest fibre from the Cranbrook and Golden Timber Supply Areas that otherwise would have been burned. Skookumchuck
Utilizing Cedar Bark and Wood Waste Stella-Jones Inc. Forest Carbon This project aims to increase fibre utilization by augmenting the transportation of residual fibre from the Revelstoke pole yard peeling facility to a power producing facility. Project activities include the grinding and hauling of residual fibre from the unusable ends of cedar poles instead of the usual disposal method of burning or landfilling. Revelstoke
Fibre Recovery in Baker Mountain Road Area BCTS Kootenay Business Area Fibre Recovery This project aims to reduce wildfire risk and enhance wildlife habitat in a 143 hectare area adjacent to the City of Cranbrook and the Cranbrook Community Forest. The goal is to recover 11,000 cubic metres of pulp and sawlogs in addition to any residual fibre for use as biomass. This activity will remove wildfire fuel loading and result in a more open forest with higher timber and increased wildlife values. Cranbrook
Recovering Residual Fibre from Run Glading Red Mountain Resort Fibre Recovery This project aimed to remove about 30 per cent of standing dead and damaged trees within in a treed skiing area in the Red Mountain Resort Controlled Recreation Area (CRA). The 10 hectare project area is located in the Topping Creek drainage on the north slope of Granite Mountain and has year-round recreation use, ecological and watershed values. FESBC funding allowed for selective cutting of the stand to remove fuel in form of standing dead and diseased trees, decreasing crown connectivity and retaining healthy tree cover. The project resulted in the rehabilitation of low-value stands, reduced the risk of wildfire, allowed the low-value wood to be transported for use at a local pulp mill, improved recreational values and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by eliminating the burning of low value fibre. Rossland
Feasibility Analysis of Intensive Fibre Recovery City of Cranbrook Fibre Recovery An analysis of wildfire prevention models within the community wildland-urban interface (WUI). Discussion will include cost sharing methods for low value timber harvesting and biomass removal within the WUI. Cranbrook
LP Golden Residual Delivery for Hog Fuel Louisiana-Pacific Canada Ltd. Fibre Recovery The incremental haul and/or grinding of residual fibre to be used for hog fuel for the LP Corp's power facility in Golden, BC. Golden
Westview Estates Wildfire Risk Reduction Rocky Mountain Trench Natural Resources Society Habitat Enhancement This is primarily a fuel-management project benefitting the rural community of Westview Estates, but the work also supports improved wildlife habitat and ungulate range conditions. The project included tree removal and limbing to decrease wildfire risk and increase forest floor productivity. Cranbrook
Implementation of Wildfire Risk Reduction Treatments for Slocan Area Slocan Integral Forestry Cooperative (SIFCO) Wildfire Risk Reduction Slocan Integral Forestry Cooperative (SIFCo), the community forest based in the Slocan Valley in the Southern Interior of BC, is working towards completing their Landscape-Level Strategic Wildfire Protection Plan. The innovative plan lays out 12 Strategic Fuel Management Zones located across main fire movement corridors. These zones create large defendable fuel breaks, each spanning hundreds of hectares. SIFCo's plan articulates five types of treatments to be used in those zones, including an ecosystem restoration treatment type which reintroduces fire through prescribed burns. The fuel breaks created through this new approach to treatment will leave forest behind and not a bare landscape. Slocan
Dry Gulch Forest Fuel Reduction Wildlands Eco-Forestry Inc Wildfire Risk Reduction The goal of this project is to reduce wildfire risk in the Dry Gulch Creek area, approximately two kilometres north of the Shuswap Indian Band Reserve, as identified in the Shuswap Indian Band's Community Wildfire Protection Plan. The overall area has also been identified as a wildlife travel connector to the Columbia Wetlands wildlife area. Wildfire fuel management activities will include a combination of mechanical and manual tree falling, thinning, removal of ladder fuels, and disposal of removed fibre. This work will reduce the wildfire threat to the local communities. Invermere
Central Kootenay Collaborative Regional Wildfire Risk Reduction Planning Group - Phase 2 Support Regional District of Central Kootenay Wildfire Risk Reduction Effective wildfire risk reduction near communities requires good planning and coordination between many stakeholders, which includes the Ministry of Forest, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (including the Districts and BC Wildfire Service staff), local governments, First Nations, forest industry and various public interest groups. This collaborative planning project focuses on bringing these parties together to identify priority areas for wildfire risk reduction treatments and determine who should lead and implement the required work. Some of the areas set as a priority for treatments will be in the wildland urban interface as identified in Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP) throughout the Regional District Central Kootenay. The areas may also be overlapping areas identified for harvesting by one of the local forest licensees. Priority areas of interest include areas on Crown land adjacent to where the wildfire threat is high or extreme based on forest fuel type and proximity to residences and other critical infrastructure. This project funding is to allow for the continuation of the work of the newly established collaborative planning group initially funded by FESBC. Nelson & Surrounding Area
Selous Creek Wildfire Risk Reduction Prescription Regional District of Central Kootenay Wildfire Risk Reduction This planning project aims to develop a community wildfire protection prescription for the Selous Creek Treatment Unit that is supported by the Regional District of Central Koontenay's and the City of Nelson's Community Wildfire Protection Plans. The project area is immediately adjacent Nelson city limits, the Nelson Selous Creek water intake, and valuable critical infrastructure including historic trestles on the Burlington Northern Rail Trail. The intent is to develop fuel modification prescriptions for the area proposed to be harvested by Kalesnikoff Lumber in identified priority areas of interest so as to maintain biodiversity, enhance fire and forest health resilience from the perspective of climate change and reduce the forest fuel hazards through fuel modification treatments. Nelson
Champion Lakes Park Forest Fuels Management BC Parks - Kootenay Wildfire Risk Reduction The project site location is Champion Lakes Park, southeast of Genelle, BC and northwest of Fruitvale, BC. This close to 50 hectare fuel reduction project is intended to reduce wildfire risk to park visitors, park values and infrastructure, nearby private properties, and adjacent Crown and private forest land. There was significant fuel loading in this area due to mountain pine beetle and small diameter conifers. The work included reducing flammable wood in the park by removing sufficient ground and ladder fuels and the thinning and spacing of juvenile trees and pruning of mature trees. Fruitvale
Kaslo and District Community Forest Society Wildfire Protection Planning Kaslo and District Community Forest Society Wildfire Risk Reduction Planning and survey activity under this project aims to assist with the development and implementation of a landscape-level wildfire protection plan within the Kaslo and District Community Forest (KDCF) that builds on the existing 2017 Kaslo and Area D Community Wildfire Protection Plan. The KDCF is a 32,417 hectare area in southeastern BC, bordering the western shore of Kootenay Lake within the ecologically diverse West Kootenay Region. The final report will integrate and share stakeholder knowledge and facilitate multi-use planning of operational, recreational and firefighting access to identified, mapped, and flow-rated tactical water sources. Fuel management prescriptions will target uneconomic ground and ladder fuels and aim to preserve merchantable timber. Kaslo
Queens Bay Wildfire Risk Reduction Planning and Prescription Regional District of Central Kootenay Wildfire Risk Reduction Building on the FESBC funded Collaborative Planning Pilot project in 2017, the RDCK developed a community wildfire protection prescription for the community of Queens Bay. The two treatment units developed have been identified in the RDCK Electoral Area E CWPP update as priority areas. The treatment areas are immediately north and south of the isolated community of Queens Bay on the west shore of Kootenay Lake. The community of Queens Bay has demonstrated a proactive approach to wildfire mitigation. The community was the first in the RDCK to achieve Community FireSmart Recognition in 2015 and has maintained its status since then. Almost all of the domestic and irrigation water for this community comes from gravity feed systems, many of the sources for which are within the proposed Treatment Units. The community wildfire protection prescription for the Queens Bay Treatment Units have been developed in collaboration between Cooper Creek Cedar / Porcupine Lumber, who hold the forest license for the area, the community of Queens Bay and the RDCK with the objective of reducing surface fuel loading, potential crown fire intensities and harvesting with projected climate change influences in mind. Queens Bay
West Arm Park Wildfire Risk Reduction Treatment BC Parks - Kootenay Wildfire Risk Reduction This collaborative project is focused on wildfire fuel management treatments to create a landscape level fuel break in a 12-hectare area along Lasca Creek Road. This treatment will reduce the tree density and woody fuel in order to lower the wildfire risk to the adjacent area and West Arm Park. It is anticipated this prescription will provide a shaded fuel break and will reduce the risk of wildfire to the adjacent properties and community, protecting the area and park values. A shaded fuel break would provide opportunities for BC Wildfire crews to have a chance to fight a fire starting in the park, reduce the threat to the adjacent community, and protect park values if the fire started in the community and spread into the park. Nelson
Arrow Mountain Wildfire Risk Reduction Creston Valley Forest Corporation Wildfire Risk Reduction The town of Creston BC is located less than one kilometre south of Arrow Mountain. Given the town’s close proximity to a densely forested area, concerns have steadily grown regarding the danger Arrow Mountain would pose to the community if a wildfire were to start. The goal of this project is to reduce forest fuel to reduce the risk of wildfires to the community of Creston through fuel management activities such as overstory thinning, and the removal of ladder and ground fuels. These alterations to the current forest conditions should reduce wildfire behaviour to allow for more successful containment in the event of a wildfire, which would result the protection of homes. Creston
Akisqnuk Wildfire Risk Reduction Treatment Akisqnuk First Nation Wildfire Risk Reduction This wildfire risk reduction treatment location is adjacent to the Akisqnuk First Nation reserve on Crown land, just north of the community of Fairmont Hot Springs. Activity will target the removal of non-merchantable stems using hand and mechanized techniques, and the pruning of remaining stems. The outcome of this project will be dramatically reduced fuel loads, risk of catastrophic wildfire, a net carbon sink due to the promotion of large diameter trees, and improved wildlife habitat through returning to a more natural stand structure of open and mixed forest. Fairmont Hot Springs / Akisqnuk
Slocan Landscape Level WildfirePlan Implementation Slocan Integral Forestry Cooperative (SIFCO) Wildfire Risk Reduction Wildfire fuel break implementation as identified in the Slocan Valley Landscape Level Wildfire Protection Plan. Slocan
Jewel Lake Fuel Wildfire Risk Reduction Project West Boundary Community Forest Wildfire Risk Reduction Jewel Lake is a popular recreational area for tourists and local residents attracting thousands of campers, boaters, fishers, and cottagers every year. There is also a population of permanent residents who reside at Jewel Lake all year. The West Boundary Community Forest is on the north and south facing slopes of this lake valley. This project is focused on reducing the volume of wildfire fuel accumulated over the years that is now posing a high risk to the area. There's only one road providing access into and out of this residential and recreational area, which poses a significant problem in the case of a wildfire. Reducing fuel loading will increase safety for both residents and visitors and help protect the area in the event of a wildfire. Greenwood
Midway Fire Risk Reduction Project West Boundary Community Forest Wildfire Risk Reduction This project area south of Midway, BC is very popular for hikers and bikers and project activity will enhance public safety by removing snags and danger trees along the trail system. The goal is to improve overall forest health by removing beetle-infested trees, blow down, trees with heart rot, dead standing trees (snags), and up to 40 per cent of the smaller-diameter Douglas-fir. This will result in fuel mitigation, fir bark beetle control, and increase interpretive forest attributes and improve the trail as a recreational resource. This project will be seen by the thousands of hikers and school groups who regularly use the trail system, providing an excellent opportunity to showcase how integrated forest management can improve both forest health and recreational values. Midway
Procter Wildfire Risk Reduction Treatment Harrop-Procter Community Co-operative Wildfire Risk Reduction The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) Area 'E' Community Wildfire Protection Plan and the RDCK Collaborative Planning Group both identified the West Procter Face, one kilometre south of the Village of Procter, as a top priority for wildfire fuel reduction. This project will reduce wildfire risks by significantly reducing fuel loading in a critical interface area. Surface and ladder fuels will be removed and the overstory will be thinned. Project activities include mechanized logging and thinning, log hauling, and post-treatment cleanup to remove surface and ladder fuels with the goal of recovering and utilizing as much of the removed fibre as possible in order to achieve climate change objectives. The project will rehabilitate a low-value stand and encourage the growth of a more open and diverse forest stand. Nelson
Nakusp Wildfire Risk Reduction Treatment Nakusp and Area Community Forest - NACFOR Wildfire Risk Reduction The goal of this project is to reduce wildfire risk in areas identified in the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) Area 'K' and Nakusp 2018 Community Wildfire Protection Plans as having a high-to-moderate wildfire risk. The intention is to create a series of strategically placed fuel breaks surrounding the community of Nakusp that will act as a last line of defence against an approaching wildfire. Treating these areas will provide opportunities for fire suppression, reduce fire intensity and rate of spread, and complement ongoing FireSmart initiatives. Areas are adjacent to the community and will be part of a series of strategically located treatment sites designed to defend the Village from wildfires. Project outcomes will include the reduction of surface fuel loading, increased height to live crown ratio, decreased stand density, and the removal of dead and dying stems. Keeping overstory and deciduous trees, along with decreased stand density, will also enhance wildlife habitat. Nakusp
Glade Wildfire Risk Reduction Treatment Kalesnikoff Lumber Co. Ltd. Wildfire Risk Reduction The goal of this project is to reduce wildfire risk by removing forest fuels in a logged area near the community of Glade BC. These residual fuels, if left on site, would increase the risk of high-intensity wildfire if a fire ignited. Activity will include piling, burning, or increased utilization of residual material left over from harvesting activity. Castlegar
Selous Creek Post Harvesting Wildfire Risk Reduction Treatment Regional District of Central Kootenay Wildfire Risk Reduction This project focuses on the reduction of forest fuel left over after Kalesnikoff Lumber completes their logging in an area adjacent to the community of Nelson BC, which was identified as a high risk to be impacted from wildfire in the Regional District of Central Kootenay's Community Wildfire Protection Plan. Wildfire risk will be reduced with harvesting, retaining fire-resistant species, and reducing surface fuels post treatment by hauling the residual fibre to the nearby Mercer-Celgar pulp mill. Removing the residual fibre also increases fibre utilization and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by avoiding on-site burning. These activities will reduce wildfire intensity and the overall wildfire risk to the City of Nelson. Nelson
Queens Bay Post Harvesting Wildfire Risk Reduction Treatment Regional District of Central Kootenay Wildfire Risk Reduction This project focuses on the reduction of woody fuel left over after Cooper Creek Cedar's logging in an area adjacent to the small community of Queens Bay, BC. Wildfire risk will be reduced by harvesting, reducing tree-to-tree contact, retaining fire-resistant species, and reducing surface fuels by hauling the residual fibre to the nearby Mercer-Celgar pulp mill. These activities will reduce the conditions for extreme wildfire intensity and help protect the isolated community from wildfire risk. Removing the residual fibre also increases fibre utilization and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by avoiding onsite burning. Balfour
Baynes Lake Cemetery Pasture Wildfire Risk Reduction Treatment Rocky Mountain Trench Natural Resources Society Wildfire Risk Reduction This is an interface treatment project located adjacent to the community of Baynes Lake. The goal is to reduce fuel loading near the community using mastication equipment and hand slashing. This will be followed by a prescribed burn and an invasive plant treatment in the spring or fall of 2021. This significant project will tie into neighbouring ecosystem restoration treatments and contribute to a landscape-level fuel break while providing open forest and range ecosystem benefits. Elko
Post Harvesting Wildfire Risk Reduction on Kootenay BCTS Areas BCTS Kootenay Business Area Wildfire Risk Reduction There are two locations for this wildfire risk reduction project--Kokanee Creek (near the community of Longbeach) and Smallwood Creek (near the community of Beasley). Kokanee Creek is on the west arm of Kootenay Lake located approximately 20 km north of Nelson, and Smallwood Creek is located about 14km west of Nelson. The areas near Kokanee Creek have been identified as high to extreme risk for wildfire. The areas located near Smallwood are identified as moderate to extreme and both project areas are adjacent to private lots containing infrastructure. Project activity aims to reduce wildfire risk by removing high hazard fuels, retaining fire resistant tree species, and reducing crown closure and removing surface fuels post harvesting. Nelson
Procter Wildfire Risk Reduction Prescriptions Harrop-Procter Community Co-operative Wildfire Risk Reduction This project was aimed at preparing prescriptions for wildfire risk reduction treatments on approximately 140 hectares within the boundaries of the Harrop-Procter Community Forest. The areas were identified in the Regional District of Central Kootenays Community Wildfire Protection Plan as being at high risk of wildfires. The proposed treatments will be coordinated with other forest management objectives for the community forest, including rehabilitation of low-value stands and recovering fibre normally left for burning. As wildfire risk reduction treatments are not a legal requirement, this funding will assist the community forest with the costs of activities over and above normal forest management. Procter
Fuel Reduction Treatments in the RDCK Near Canyon, Lister, and Kokanee Park Regional District of Central Kootenay Wildfire Risk Reduction This project aimed to reduce wildfire risk near the communities of Canyon and Lister, and in Kokanee Provincial Park. These areas were identified as high priority areas for fuel management treatments in the Regional District of Central Kootenay Community Wildfire Protection Plan. Creston / Nelson
Rock Creek Ecosystem Restoration Prescription Development West Boundary Community Forest Wildfire Risk Reduction The primary goal of this project was to develop prescriptions to restore and enhance the ecosystem values for wildlife. As the treatment area is adjacent to the community of Rock Creek, the treatment will also reduce the wildfire risk, improve the health of the stand, and increase fibre utilization by the local sawmill and pulp mill. This will also contribute to the achievement of B.C.'s and Canada's climate change targets. Rock Creek
Sheep Mountain Wildfire Risk Reduction Treatment Rocky Mountain Trench Natural Resources Society Wildfire Risk Reduction This project aims to reduce wildfire risk through reducing fuel loading near the communities of Elko and Baynes Lake. These fuel management treatments also restore wildlife habitat and increase the availability of forage grass for domestic livestock grazing. Elko
Quartz Lake Wildfire Risk Reduction Treatment Rocky Mountain Trench Natural Resources Society Wildfire Risk Reduction The primary goal of this project is to remove understory vegetation and potential wildfire fuel in forested areas near Quartz Lake, located east of Skookumchuck BC. Other project activities include invasive plant control and grass seeding to reduce wildfire risk. Skookumchuck
Rushmere Ecosystem Restoration & Wildfire Risk Reduction Treatments Rocky Mountain Trench Natural Resources Society Wildfire Risk Reduction This project is focused on wildfire risk reduction near the community of Rushmere, BC, located 10 km south of Invermere BC and Rushmere Provincial Park. Activities include the hand slashing of smaller trees, bucking, piling, and pile burning. The project also enhances access to grazing for wildlife and domestic livestock. Rushmere
Duck Pasture Wildfire Risk Reduction Management Treatment Rocky Mountain Trench Natural Resources Society Wildfire Risk Reduction The goal of this project was to reduce wildfire risk by removing fuel though slashing trees less than 20 centimeters diameter in an area 10 km south of the community of Jaffray, BC which is located 20km from Elko, BC. This was followed by prescribed burning as the wildfire fuel in the area is historically maintained by natural fire activity. Elko
Cranbrook Wildfire Risk Reduction Prescription Development Rocky Mountain Trench Natural Resources Society Wildfire Risk Reduction This project focused on the development of fuel management prescriptions for priority areas with the goal of reducing wildfire risk near the City of Cranbrook. The work was completed by Ktunaxa Nation-owned natural resource consulting company Nupqu with the support of the local regional district. Cranbrook
Slocan Valley Landscape Level Wildfire Protection Slocan Integral Forestry Cooperative (SIFCO) Wildfire Risk Reduction Slocan Integral Forestry Cooperative (SIFCo), the community forest based in the Slocan Valley in the Southern Interior of BC, is working towards completing their Landscape-Level Strategic Wildfire Protection Plan. The innovative plan lays out 12 Strategic Fuel Management Zones located across main fire movement corridors. These zones create large defendable fuel breaks, each spanning hundreds of hectares. SIFCo's plan articulates five types of treatments to be used in those zones, including an ecosystem restoration treatment type which reintroduces fire through prescribed burns. The 185 hectares of fuel breaks created through this new approach to treatment will leave forest behind and not a bare landscape. Slocan Valley
Establishment of a Central Kootenay Collaborative Regional Wildfire Risk Reduction Planning Group Regional District of Central Kootenay Wildfire Risk Reduction Effective wildfire risk reduction near communities requires good planning and coordination between many stakeholders, which includes the Ministry of Forest, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (including the Districts and BC Wildfire Service staff), local governments, First Nations, forest industry and various public interest groups. This collaborative planning project focuses on bringing these parties together to identify priority areas for wildfire risk reduction treatments and determine who should lead and implement the works required. Some of the areas set as a priority for treatments may be in the wildland urban interface as identified in Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP) throughout the Regional District Central Kootenay, or could be overlapping areas identified for harvesting by one of the local forest licensees. Priority areas of interest include areas on Crown land adjacent to and generally up wind of communities where the wildfire threat is high or extreme based on forest fuel type and proximity to residences and other critical infrastructure. Nelson Area
?aq'am Prescribed Burn Rocky Mountain Trench Natural Resources Society Wildfire Risk Reduction This project was a partnership between the BC Wildfire Service and the community of ?aq'am, located five kilometres from Cranbrook BC within the traditional territory of the Ktunaxa Nation. Project activity included a prescribed burn on close to 182 hectares of Crown land for grassland ecosystem restoration and wildfire fuel management. Benefits include habitat improvement for badgers, Lewis woodpecker, elk and mule deer. Cranbrook
Westside Koocanusa Lake Wildfire Risk Reduction/ER Treatments Rocky Mountain Trench Natural Resources Society Wildfire Risk Reduction This project focused on wildfire risk reduction in forested areas close to Newgate, BC, located on Lake Koocanusa. Activity included hand slashing, pile burning, and grass seeding to reduce wildfire risk and enhance forage availability for both wildlife and domestic livestock. Newgate
Silver Springs Wildfire Risk Reduction Treatment Rocky Mountain Trench Natural Resources Society Wildfire Risk Reduction The goal of this project was to complete fuel management treatments to reduce wildfire risk to the City of Cranbrook and Area C in the Regional District of East Kootenay. Additional project benefits included habitat restoration for wildlife and improved rangeland grazing conditions for cattle. Cranbrook
Cranbrook Community Forest/College of the Rockies Wildfire Risk Reduction Treatment Rocky Mountain Trench Natural Resources Society Wildfire Risk Reduction The Cranbrook Community Forest and College of the Rockies project is primarily focused on wildfire risk reduction. The work included fuel management and ecosystem restoration treatments to protect and restore Crown land adjacent to the City of Cranbrook and the College of the Rockies. A local logging company was hired to remove commercial timber and pulpwood and all harvesting and post-harvest slash was ground on site and delivered to the Skookumchuck Pulp Mill’s co-generation bioenergy facility. Grinding of the slash waste avoided any burning on site and possible air quality impact on the adjacent City of Cranbrook. The commercial harvesting of sawlogs and pulpwood reduced the cost of post-harvest slashing because it was done at the same time as the commercial harvesting by the same contractor. Further fuel management treatments were completed using a portable chipper on steeper and more sensitive sites. Cranbrook
Fuel Reduction Treatments in the RDCK - Riondel, Kingsgate, Fauquier, and Nelson Regional District of Central Kootenay Wildfire Risk Reduction This project was for wildfire risk reduction treatments near the communities of Riondel, Kingsgate, Fauquier and the Burlington Rail Trail near Nelson. These areas were identified as high priority areas for fuel management treatments in the Regional District of Central Kootenay's Community Wildfire Protection Plan as being at high risk for wildfires. Nelson Area
West Arm Provincial Park Wildfire Risk Reduction Planning Regional District of Central Kootenay Wildfire Risk Reduction This collaborative project is focused on the development of a wildfire fuel management prescription for treatments to create a landscape-level fuel break in a 12-hectare area along Lasca Creek Road. This treatment will reduce the number of stems per hectare and fuel loading with the goal of lowering wildfire risk to the adjacent area and West Arm Park. This prescription will provide a shaded fuel break and reduce the risk of wildfire to the adjacent properties and community, protecting the area and park values. A shaded fuel break would provide opportunities for BC Wildfire crews to have a better chance to fight fire starting in the park, posing a threat to the adjacent community, or fight the fire to protect park values if a fire started in the community and spread into the park. Nelson Area
May Creek Wildfire Risk Reduction and Habitat Improvement Treatment West Boundary Community Forest Wildfire Risk Reduction This project is a collaboration between the West Boundary Community Forest (WBCF) and the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC), with support from the Osoyoos Indian Band, and is focused on the South Area/Kootenay Boundary Region/Selkirk District/Boundary Timber Supply Area, three kilometres west of Grand Forks. The focus is on reducing excessive fuel loads to mitigate catastrophic wildfire risks and helping to mitigate mid-term timber supply shortfalls by facilitating access to marginal stands. Dead and dry pine has been converted into bio-energy and wildlife habitat was improved through project activity. Future air quality improvements will be realized by managing emissions related to prescribed fire treatments, as opposed to emissions resulting from a wildfire. Grand Forks
Westview Estates - Landscape Fuel Break Rocky Mountain Trench Natural Resources Society Wildfire Risk Reduction This is a wildfire fuel management project involving the removal of small trees for near the rural community of Westview Estates. Secondary project benefits include improved wildlife browsing and cattle grazing. Cranbrook
Strauss Road Wildfire Risk Reduction Treatment Rocky Mountain Trench Natural Resources Society Wildfire Risk Reduction The activity for this project included managing two stands for more natural open forest conditions with the goal of reducing wildfire threat and restoring habitat and rangeland conditions for several wildlife species and domestic livestock. Decades of fire suppression has led to the in-growth of too many trees, which has created extreme fire risk and degraded wildlife habitat. This treatment is being implemented in conjunction with one of the local forest licensees to optimize cost efficacy. Cranbrook
Kootenay FireSmart Initiative FESBC Wildfire Risk Reduction The goal of this project was to support the establishment of a FireSmart education program for the Kootenay region, led by the Columbia Basin Trust. Various