CANMORE, ALTA. — With wildfire season in the not-too-distant future, the Alberta government is planning ahead to mitigate the risks catastrophic fires through the Community Fireguard Program.
By removing trees surrounding vulnerable communities that can act as fuel in the event of fires, the program helps ensure residents, homes, businesses and critical infrastructure are better protected, states a release.
Several projects are underway.
Construction on the new Bow Valley Community Fireguard started in late fall 2024, after the project received $750,000 in provincial funding administered by the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta.
Project partners include the Town of Canmore, Municipal District of Bighorn and the Kananaskis Improvement District.
Additional work is required to complete the entire fireguard over the next three to five years and planning is underway for the next funding approval and stage of construction.
Several other fireguard initiatives are also underway. In Whitecourt, fireguard construction is ongoing, while in Hinton, is in progress. Swan Hills is focused on debris clean-up from 2023 fireguard construction to ensure continued wildfire protection for the area, the release continues.
Additionally, work is underway to hire more wildland firefighters, who will receive specialized training at the Hinton Training Centre.
The FireSmart program continues to help make properties more resistant to wildfires, and its principles are being implemented across the province. Alberta’s government is also continuing to implement prescribed burns and selective harvesting to reduce the risks of wildfires by removing aging trees.
Measures to reduce the mountain pine beetle population have also been effective, the government states, with work ongoing to cut and burn infested trees as needed.
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