BC Wildfire Service supporting Peachland with mitigation work

Peachland residents may notice firefighters working in the north end of the community over the coming days, but not with hoses.

The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) says it will be supporting the District of Peachland with mitigation work as early as this week, depending on conditions.

It will cover nine hectares in Pincushion Place Wilderness Park, north of 6th Avenue.

“The project work includes thinning, pruning and clean-up of surface fuels," explained a BCWS release. "Pile burning will occur at a later phase in this project when conditions are safe to do so."

According to the BCWS, the goals of this project include:

• Reduce wildfire intensity and associated risks to public safety in the Wildland Urban Interface adjacent to residential areas
• Maintain an uneven-aged, open forest stand dominated by larger trees with an understory of native shrubs and grass species
• Reduce stand density and crown fuels to decrease the likelihood of continuous crown fire
• Reduce ladder fuels to minimize vertical fire travel into the canopy

The BCWS says crews work regularly with a range of partners to undertake fuel management activities, helping reduce the severity of future wildfires and related threats to communities.

These projects are carefully planned and only go ahead at the right times and under the right conditions to ensure safety.