A community information meeting and open house about upcoming wildfire risk reduction activities in the Borland Valley will be held on Monday, Nov. 21, 2016, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting, which will be held at the 150 Mile House firehall at 3038 Pigeon Rd.

The Borland Valley is located about four kilometres east of 150 Mile House. This meeting will include an overview of the Borland Valley Wildfire Hazard Reduction and Habitat Enhancement Project and also provide details about wildfire risk reduction activities planned for the area over the next two to three years.

Staff from the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations will host the meeting and answer questions about the Borland Valley project. They will also be able to offer advice on using FireSmart principles to reduce wildfire threats on private property.

First phase:

• The first phase of the Borland Valley Wildfire Hazard Reduction and Habitat Enhancement Project is scheduled for later this year.
• Six hectares of land between Pigeon Road and Borland Creek (south of Ptarmigan Place and Brouse Road) will be treated to help mitigate wildfire risks and enhance wildlife habitat.
• Crews will remove undergrowth, trim “ladder fuels” on larger trees (tree branches up to three metres above the ground that could allow flames to spread into the tree canopy) and cut down some smaller trees.
• These treatments will:
  • reduce the amount of surface fuels and ladder fuels
  • clear branches from below the crowns of live trees
  • create conditions where any wildfire in the area would likely be a low-intensity surface fire instead of a high-intensity crown fire (which would also allow for more efficient fire suppression and make it safer for ground crews to work there)
  • enhance wildlife habitat by removing obstructions to animal movement and retaining and enhancing the health of large-diameter trees
• The treatments will have no negative impact on the community trail network.
• Wood debris will be removed from the area, chipped or burned in piles at the treatment site. Any such fires would be closely monitored by trained firefighters.

Second phase:

• The second phase of the Borland Valley Wildfire Hazard Reduction and Habitat Enhancement Project will cover about 450 hectares between Pigeon Road and Redeau Lake Road.
• Multiple treatment plans will be developed for this area through the winter of 2016-17, with on-the-ground work starting in the fall of 2017.
• The goals of this phase are to reduce wildfire risks, enhance wildlife habitat and improve overall forest health. Other important factors such as recreational use, riparian areas and cultural values will be incorporated into all aspects of this project.
• Another key element of this phase will be the creation of a primary fuel break alongside Redeau Lake Road.

Learn More:

Learn more about wildfire risk reduction strategies on the BC Wildfire Service website at http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/wildfire-prevention

Read about the FireSmart Canada program or download a copy of the FireSmart Homeowner’s Manual at http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/forestry/managing-our-forest-resources/wildfire-management/prevention/for-your-home-community