FireSmart and plans to clean up CNP forested areas

Richard Paton, Steve Munshaw and Jamie Wilkinson

Toni Lucas, Crowsnest Voice

Members of the Crowsnest Pass Fire Department and Environment Sustainable Resource Development were at the Elks Hall in Blairmore to educate the public on FireSmart practices and a discuss a new initiative to clean up parts of the forested area throughout the Crowsnest Valley.


A map the Crowsnest Valley showed a number of areas that included both crown and municipal land that was highlighted.  "What we're going to be doing is hand removal in each one," explained ESRD Wildlife Technologist Richard Paton.  "That means that they are going in with chainsaws or hand saws and cutting off branches.  They are going to be removing the '5 D's':  Dead, Down, Diseased, Dangerous, and Damaged."  Some of the dead wood will be left if it is in use as a wildlife habitat.  Areas of regrowth up to 15 feet tall will be monitored.  "If it's too thick, and could carry fire, we will remove some of it," said Paton.

The project includes 309 hectares on crown land, and 46 on municipal land.  "The idea of us joining here is to reduce costs.  If we do the contract together, it works out cheaper for everybody," explained Paton.

Munshaw thinks that long term fire safety is a bright idea

"FireSmart has been around for many years, this is the piece that we're getting together to do some thinning, cleaning up,"  explained Crowsnest Fire Chief Steve Munshaw.   "We're cleaning up the forest and making it safer for everybody."   The local Fire Department is pleased to be part of this endevour as it makes the whole area safer.  Munshaw has FireSmart literature at the Fire Hall that includes a free booklet containing an evaluation people can use to assess the FireSmart rating of their house.

The target to start the FireSmart forest project is mid February and they will be working on it at least until March 31.