Wildfire mitigation work will be underway in the Toby-East/Kloosifier Rec Trail area near Invermere.
Work will be done by the Provincial Wildfire Risk Reduction Program and it will be completed in the spring of 2025.
The area is west of Invermere and next to Toby Creek Road and the Kloosifier Recreation Trail and covers 42.01 hectares.
“The goal of this fuel treatment is to reduce both the fuel loading within the treatment area and, as a result, the risk of wildfire to nearby communities,” said the Regional District of East Kootenay.
The fire will be part of the Rocky Mountain District’s Wildfire Risk Reduction initiative, which targets Crown land near communities and critical infrastructure.
“The overall intent of the wildfire risk reduction effort is to lower fire intensities and the rate of spread to allow for a successful suppression; not eliminate the probability and cause of ignition,” said the RDEK.
“By doing so, this helps to enhance community resiliency, emergency response, and public safety.”
RCEK officials say workers will use both hand and mechanical treatments to remove surface fuels and widen the spacing between trees.
“This material will be placed in piles no larger than 2 metres tall and 3 metres wide, in locations that will not add an increased fire risk,” said the RDEK.
“These piles will be burned in compliance with the Ministry of Environment Open Smoke control when conditions permit.”
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