Pidherny slated for thinning project

A portion of the Pidherny Recreation Site is slated for a thinnng project to reduce the risk of wildfires, the Ministry of Forests said Thursday.

The project is expected to last two years with the first stage slated to begin in early December and run through to spring 2023. A local, small-scale salvager will carry out the work during that stage,

Trails may be temporarily closed during the course of this project. Signage will be posted on bulletin boards and at trailheads.

"In addition to making it easier for firefighters to defend the community against future wildfires, this project will create a critical fuel break around emergency communication infrastructure such as fire repeaters, which are used to enhance radio communications for firefighters in areas with poor coverage," the ministry said in a statement.

The work may include removing hazardous trees and flammable shrubs; thinning forested areas by cutting smaller trees and some mature trees; pruning low-hanging tree branches to help prevent fire from moving into tree tops; and reducing woody debris and other fuels on the forest floor by piling and burning.

Other factors such as the long-term health and resiliency of the forests and recreational use were all considered when planning for this project.