Smoke and flames may be visible in the Pidherny area as scheduled pile burns start today (Nov. 9).
The BC Wildfire Service plans to pile and burn spruce beetle “trap trees” that were felled in spring 2020 within the Prince George Fire Zone.
It explains trap trees are ones that have been cut down and deliberately left lying on the ground to attract harmful adult spruce beetles, and are more likely to infest in one compared to standing trees, so this technique can greatly reduce spruce beetle attacks on healthy trees nearby.
The piles will be burned periodically starting today (Nov. 9) and Nov. 27, but will also depend on weather, site and venting conditions.
The burn project will take place 15 km northwest of downtown Prince George near Pidherny Road, smoke and flames may be visible from Pidherny Road, North Nechako Road, Otway Road, Foothills Boulevard, and parts of the Chief Lake Road and the Hart Highlands area.
BC Wildfire Service personnel will be on-site to control and monitor the burn piles.
The project is a part of ongoing fuel management treatments to promote forest health by removing trees affected by spruce beetles and to mitigate the risk of wildfires in interface areas where urban development borders on forested areas.
