Preventing future wildfires and ensuring overall forest health.
That’s the goal behind a new series of projects set to take place on Pilot Mountain for the next three years, a collaboration between the BC Wildfire Service and the Prince George Resource District.
Local crews will be conducting several fuel-management initiatives with the goal to lower any potential risk of wildfires in the area, located 20 km northwest of downtown Prince George off Chief Lake Road, and they’ll take on the tasks when in training and not on-duty.
Activities are set to 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 treetops
- Reducing woody debris and other fuels on the forest floor by piling and burning
Fuel management projects mapped out for Prince Georges Pilot Mountain from 2020 to 2023. (via BC Wildfire Service)“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 BC Wildfire Service explains in a news release today (Sept. 29) with the project set to begin this fall.
“Other factors such as the long-term health and resiliency of the forests and recreational use, were all considered when planning for this project.”
As a result of some of the above exercises through 2023, Pilot Mountain Road may be forced to temporarily close to local traffic.
Smoke may also be visible for nearby residents, but there’ll be no impact on local air quality, unless told otherwise, as burning is set to adhere to B.C. Environment Ministry regulations.
More information on the fuel management project can be found on the B.C. government's website.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, you’re asked to call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.
