Prince George fuel management projects to help rid of spruce beetle ‘trap trees’

A controlled burning project is underway in Prince George.

The purpose of the fuel management initiative by the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) is two-fold: to pile and burn spruce beetle ‘trap trees’ and to mitigate potential wildfire risks in the area.

“Trap trees are trees that have been cut down and deliberately left lying on the ground to attract harmful adult spruce beetles in the spring,” a release from the Prince George Fire Centre explains, noting the trees fell in spring 2020.

“The beetles are more likely to infest a trap tree than standing trees, so this technique can greatly reduce spruce beetle attacks on healthy trees nearby.”

Weather dependent, this means residents living in the Pidherny area, as well as those in the Hart Highlands and Otway, may see flames and smoke between today (March 2) and March 31, but crews will be on-site to monitor and control the burn piles.

The project is specifically taking place near Pidherny Road, north of North Nechako Road, west of Foothills Boulevard and south of Chief Lake Road.

A similar project is also taking place 10 km north of Vanderhoof, also between today and March 31.

The BCWS says the goal of this particular project is to remove ladder fuels and ground debris to reduce wildfire risks in the District’s vicinity.

These burns will also be weather dependent and firefighters will also be on-site to control and monitor.

Smoke and flames may be visible to residents adjacent to Striegler Road, McLeod Pit Road, Northside Road and the Vanderhoof Airport.

For more information on open burning, you can visit the BCWS website.

To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, you’re encouraged to call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone.