The City of Nelson has contracted a local forestry crew to begin wildfire mitigation treatments this October on eight areas of municipally-owned land throughout the city. Totaling over 10 hectares, this work is part of the City’s ongoing efforts to reduce wildfire risk in key areas. This season’s treatments will begin with a larger area near the cemetery, and continue into other units west of Gyro Park and various forested lands throughout the city. The fuel modification initiative is fully grant-funded through the provincial Community Resiliency Investment program, administered by the Columbia Basin Trust. The treatments are expected to be completed by December 2024, weather permitting.

Working in accordance with site-specific prescriptions developed by a registered professional forester, the project will focus on selective fuel reduction. The primary work will involve thinning and spacing younger conifer trees, pruning branches up to 2-3 meters from the ground, and removing dead trees and woody debris. These treatments help reduce the chances of a surface fire climbing into the canopy through what are called "ladder fuels" and spreading to nearby trees. By addressing downed material and excessive debris, the overall fuel load is reduced, lowering the potential intensity and spread of a wildfire. Additionally, fires that occur in areas that have been treated are significantly easier for response crews to manage.

In most of the treatment areas, the cut branches and debris will be chipped and transported off-site for disposal. In the larger treatment area adjacent to the cemetery, pile burning will be utilized to manage the debris in a cost-effective manner and return nutrients to the soil. Crews will monitor the piles at all times, with water and suppression equipment readily available. All burning will be conducted in full compliance with provincial smoke management regulations under appropriate venting conditions in order to minimize the impacts of smoke in the community.

While there will be no road closures, some recreational trails may be temporarily closed for safety during active work periods. These closures will be brief, and trails will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so.

The City of Nelson has worked hard in recent years to take a proactive approach to wildfire risk reduction, recognizing that the potential costs of response and recovery far outweigh those of prevention. Fuel treatments are one key piece of that puzzle. “Reducing fuel loads on our municipal lands is an important part of improving our overall fire readiness,” said Fire Chief Jeff Hebert. “These treatments help lower the chances of a severe wildfire developing in these areas, making it easier to manage should a fire occur.”

This project is part of a broader wildfire mitigation strategy throughout the city. In addition to fuel treatments, Nelson’s FireSmart program includes initiatives such as free FireSmart Home Ignition Zone Assessments, homeowner rebate programs, public education, and collaborative training with other agencies.

For more information about the City of Nelson’s wildfire resilience efforts, visit: https://www.nelson.ca/975/Wildfire-Resiliency.

For questions about this project please contact the City of Nelson Wildfire Resilience Program Coordinator at:

 Phone: 250-352-8116
 Email: firesmart@nelson.ca