The Ministry of Forests has long recognized Pidherny Recreation Site was a high-risk area for wildfire.
That shot it to the top as the test case to try a different approach to forest management to reduce fire risk in areas in close to residential areas where there’s real potential for high-value property losses.
The 620-hectare former woodlot 12 kilometres northwest of downtown Prince George has become a popular network of trails used by mountain bikers, runners, snowshoers and dog-walkers. The fact Pidherny has been untouched by a major forest fire for decades added to the danger for Pidherny users and for the occupants of the 50 or so residences built at the lower base of those trails.
“It was very high on the list as an area to protect,” said Hayley DeBianchi, the ministry’s land and resources coordinator for Wildfire Risk Reduction in the Prince George District.
DeBianchi admits the trails appear much different than before the area was selectively logged and users will notice narrow trails bordered on all sides by dense forest now meander through open areas with better sightlines to see forest features.
“Considering it was high recreational value, we put the lightest touch we possibly could while still meeting our objectives,” said DeBianchi. “A lot of time was spent before the machines went in there (to consider) what trees we can leave and which need to go and the first priority was forest health and safety.”
No new roads were plowed through the Pidherny forest, either to create firebreaks or allow better emergency vehicle access.
DeBianchi said some consideration was given to leaving trees and other vegetation in the treatment area untouched to support species biodiversity.
Observers working in the treatment area have noticed there are signs of moose and deer taking advantage freer range conditions where the trees and underbrush have been thinned to open up the forest canopy and decrease the chances of an unmanageable fire.
Phase 2 of the Pidherny project will be to restore the trails damaged in the logging/delimbing operations back to their former condition and that’s expected to start in the summer.
What the ministry learned will be applied to create a better fire mitigation plan for the upper trails of Pidherny within the next year, DeBianchi said. Residential property, infrastructure such as communications towers and protection for evacuation routes which have only one-way egress are also considered priority projects.
The city contracted a thinning operation on a 60-hectare parcel of Crown land at the south end of Domano Boulevard in College Heights last year.
DeBianchi says it’s up to the city to manage forested municipal land that lies within the city limits close to residential areas such as Forests For the World, Moore’s Meadow Nature Park and Wilson Park.
