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The prescribed burn will create a hearth break, shielding communities, assets and infrastructure close by
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Printed Mar 31, 2024 • 3 minute learn
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Alberta Parks is tentatively planning to burn 260 hectares of forest within the Ribbon Creek drainage in Kananaskis this 12 months that was initially prescribed for fireplace in 2023 however not ignited attributable to scorching, dry circumstances.
The burn is a component of a bigger 7,900-hectare prescribed fireplace plan being damaged into a number of phases. Alberta Parks and Calgary Forest Space wildfire administration unit officers have additionally, since proposing the plan final 12 months, met with the Wild Sheep Basis of Alberta to regulate the scale of the burn to enhance bighorn sheep habitat.
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“They have been very excited by rising the scale of the burn to reinforce sheep habitat,” Erica Samis, Calgary Forest Space forestry supervisor, not too long ago informed the Kananaskis Enchancment District council. “So, we labored with them, readjusted the plan and developed the plan because it at the moment stands now.”
The primary 260-hectare subunit of the prescribed fireplace is positioned south of Nakiska Ski Resort and west of Kananaskis Village inside the Evan-Thomas Provincial Recreation Space and Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park.
Whereas ignition is slated for 2024, Samis mentioned it isn’t “totally anticipated” it is going to happen this 12 months with wildfire season beginning earlier and ongoing drought circumstances.
“Earlier than we are able to mild the unit, clearly we now have to guarantee that the indices are there — that we now have the assets and the timing is correct as a way to do this,” she mentioned.
Prescribed burn a proactive measure
In response to Alberta Parks, the Evan-Thomas space has not seen any main wildfires since 1936, resulting in an accumulation of forest fuels and a “very excessive danger of extreme wildfire.”
The prescribed burn will create a hearth break, shielding communities, assets and infrastructure close by. It’s a proactive measure to curb potential wildfires and to maintain them from spreading down the valley.
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The established fireplace break may even create an space for firefighters to work within the space in case a wildfire does ignite.
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The world is comprised of spruce, lodgepole pine and grassland meadows and prescribed fireplace is predicted to enhance habitat for wildlife, together with bighorn sheep, bears, ungulates and different species.
“It should additionally enhance human-wildlife coexistence within the valley by drawing wildlife species away from extra populated areas the place conflicts could happen,” states an Alberta Parks reality sheet for the undertaking.
Fireplace will create extra improved habitat and room for brand spanking new crops to ascertain, drawing wildlife into the realm and away from areas of excessive battle with people, just like the ski resort and close by lodges and trails.
Snowfall doubtlessly halting plans
Final 12 months’s work on the prescribed burn targeted solely on establishing a fireguard. The guard concerned burning and chopping about 2.5 to a few kilometres into the prescribed fireplace space, alongside an present path.
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For the final week-and-a-half, Samis mentioned this work has continued, however is more likely to be halted till no less than early April with new snowfall this week.
“We have now determined to take a break … I’m undecided if we’re going to fireplace up once more earlier than Easter lengthy weekend,” mentioned Samis. “It’s all actually going to depend upon how a lot snow we get. But when we get what’s forecasted, it’s unlikely we will resume our manufacturing.”
Best circumstances for guard burning are when the timber within the guard space are “snow-free, however ample snow stays on the bottom,” states the Alberta Parks reality sheet.
If ignition of the remaining burn space does happen this 12 months, it’s estimated to take about 5 to 10 days to finish.
Space closures took impact March 11 and are anticipated to carry March 28, however are topic to vary.
The second part of the hearth will probably concentrate on the southwest portion of the prescribed space, round Ribbon Lake and Ribbon Falls, however is not going to happen till no less than 2025.
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