The City of Grande Prairie begins FireSmart Vegetation Management work on October 15, 2024.
In February 2024, the City was awarded a $200,000 grant from the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta (FRIAA) to action a Vegetation Management Program by December 31, 2024. The goal of this initiative is to mitigate wildfire risks by removing dead or fire-prone trees and thinning dense vegetation.
Two treatment areas, identified in the 2019 South Bear Creek Wildfire Mitigation Strategy, are as follows:
· Treatment Area 1: The forested area bordered by the Country Club West neighborhood and the South Bear Creek Baseball diamonds.
· Treatment Area 2: Located adjacent to the Aquatera Water Treatment Plant, specifically to the north of the facility.
“The FireSmart Vegetation Management Program is crucial for protecting our community by reducing wildfire risks in key areas, ensuring the safety of residents and preserving our local environment,” says City of Grande Prairie Mayor, Jackie Clayton. “By proactively managing hazardous vegetation, we will enhance the resilience of our neighbourhoods and infrastructure.”
The City has hired a contractor to complete the work, which is expected to be finished by the end of October.
The following photos contain before and after shots of what the vegetation management work is expected to look like.
