Cortes Island Wildfire Fuel Treatment Project
The SRD is beginning a Wildfire Fuel Treatment Project on Crown Land by the Cortes Island Recycling Centre this week.
November 21, 2022
The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) is beginning a Wildfire Fuel Treatment Project on Crown Land by the Cortes Island Recycling Centre this week, as identified in the 2020 Cortes Island Wildfire Resiliency Plan. The project is expected to take several weeks to complete.
Wildfire Fuel Treatment is the process of modifying forest to reduce the fuels available to burn. This can involve thinning out trees, pruning branches, removing brush, and other best practices. The primary objective is to manage hazardous wildfire fuels at the landscape level thus reducing the potential for loss of life, property, and infrastructure. Before proceeding to the Wildfire Fuel Treatment stage, a Traditional Use Survey and Preliminary Field Reconnaissance was undertaken in collaboration with the Tla’amin First Nation. More information about the specific work that will be undertaken can be viewed on the project’s webpage at www.srd.ca/cortes-wildfire-treatment.
“The SRD was successful in obtaining $70,000 in grant funding through the Community Resiliency Investment (CRI) Firesmart Economic Recovery grant to fully fund this wildfire mitigation work across 4 hectares,” said SRD Chair Mark Baker. “This project would not have been possible without the support of important stakeholders such as BC Wildfire Service, Tla’amin First Nation, Cortes Island Fire Department and the Cortes Forestry General Partnership, which is operated by the Cortes Community Forest Co-op and Klahoose Forestry No. 2 Limited Partnership”.
“We know wildland fires will occur; as they are a natural part of our ecosystem,” said SRD Protective Services Coordinator Shaun Koopman. “These are steps we can take to mitigate the impact in our community and increase safety for residents and firefighters.”
The SRD is committed to continuing its fuel management efforts in its communities to promote and implement FireSmart principles and activities for a more sustainable future. In addition, property owners are encouraged to take proactive FireSmart actions on their properties to reduce flammable fuels. To find out more, visit www.firesmartbc.ca.
For more information about the Cortes Island Wildfire Fuel Treatment Project, please visit www.srd.ca/cortes-wildfire-treatment
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Media Contact: Shaun Koopman – SRD Protective Services Coordinator 250-830-6702 | skoopman@srd.ca