Further steps to FireSmart the city will spark smoke in the area next week.
Fuel management near Kokanee Road and Sunset Properties will see tree thinning and burning starting Monday, Nov. 29.
鈥淲ildland fuel management is a critical practice to help protect people, homes, infrastructure and the environment,鈥� fire chief David Lind said. 鈥淎fter many years of human influence and fire suppression activity, the growth and establishment of wildland fuels across North America 鈥� not just the North Okanagan 鈥� has drastically changed. Across the country, many forests have become overgrown and are in an unhealthy state.
鈥淭his past summer, we experienced the direct impact of this forest overgrowth, paired with sustained drought conditions and intense fire activity. This summer was a critical example of why we must stay consistent with our FireSmart efforts.鈥�
Vernon Fire Rescue Services is working with qualified contractors to conduct the fuel management work, which will help decrease the risk of wildfire activity in the area. Crew members will be using chainsaws and other equipment to thin and cut material, which will then be piled and burned during and after the initial fuel mitigation project. Residents can expect to see smoke in the area from this pile burning.
鈥淭he contractors doing this work have been part of other city FireSmart projects and will only use pile burning in accordance with strict environmental and site conditions,鈥� said deputy chief Alan Hofsink. 鈥淭he work is low risk and involves a great amount of planning to achieve the project objectives in a safe and controlled environment.鈥�
This project is part of the City鈥檚 ongoing FireSmart commitment, which includes providing residents and neighbourhoods with information regarding how they can implement FireSmart practices around their own homes.
Earlier this year, residents from Sunset Properties hosted an educational session and community cleanup event for neighbours to learn about FireSmart and help remove fire fuels from their area.
鈥淗aving citizens involved in this process is critical,鈥� said Hofsink. 鈥淚t really does take an all-hands-on-deck approach to implement FireSmart principles across the community. This helps make Vernon more resilient to the impacts of wildfire, while also helping to restore the local ecosystem. We鈥檙e excited to see more people get involved and encourage everyone to learn what they can do to keep themselves and each other safe.鈥�
For more information on how to use FireSmart activities to protect your property, visit .
READ MORE:
READ MORE:
newsroom@vernonmorningstar.com
Like us on and follow us on .
