The City of Grande Prairie will begin FireSmart vegetation management work on October 15th.
This comes after the city was awarded a $200K grant in February from the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta to action a vegetation management program by the end of the year. Officials say the goal is to mitigate wildfire risks by removing dead or fire-prone trees and thinning dense vegetation.
Two areas were identified in the 2019 South Bear Creek Wildfire Mitigation Strategy. The first treatment area is the forested area near the Country Club West neighbourhood and the South Bear Creek ball diamonds. The second is the area adjacent to the Aquatera Water Treatment Plant, specifically to the north of the facility.
Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton calls the work “crucial” in protecting the city from wildfire danger, especially after last year’s devastation in the area.
“By proactively managing hazardous vegetation, we will enhance the resilience of our neighbourhoods and infrastructure,” she says.
The city has hired a contractor to complete the work, which is expected to be completed by the end of the month.
