A project to mitigate wildfire concerns in 34 hectares of the Penticton Trails, within City of Powell River, is finished.
qathet Regional District’s (qRD) regional emergency preparedness service has announced the operational fuel treatment project is now complete.
According to manager of emergency services Ryan Thoms, the fuel treatment project, which began in January, has been an additional initiative stemming from the regional community wildfire protection plan developed in 2015 in collaboration with qRD, Tla’amin Nation and City of Powell River.
“The goal of this project was to reduce forest fuel loads identified by forestry and fire professionals,” said Thoms. “The project has resulted in the creation of a shaded fuel break, an appropriate wildfire mitigation strategy for our west coast forest type. This treatment will result in increased public safety, protection of residential and critical infrastructure and demonstrating FireSmart principles in a forested setting.”
With the work now completed, the public can now access this part of the Penticton Trails once again.
“The qRD appreciates everyone’s patience throughout the trails closure during the fire mitigation work,” said Thoms.
