Sicamous Wildfire Risk Mitigation

This project will protect important infrastructure owned by the District of Sicamous (DOS) like its water reservoir and vital transportation corridors. The DOS will also realize another benefit from removing forest fuels in the treatment area because the project will create greater and safer access for citizens. Landmark, a local forestry consulting firm, is leading the technical work and has collaborated with BCTS to ensure planning of the fire fuel breaks are consistent with BCTS timber harvesting plans. The first area identified for priority treatment will be the community’s eastern boundary, an area with dense second growth Douglas-fir, larch, cedar, and hemlock stands that extend from mountain tops to valley bottoms. These forests are considered to be high-risk wildfire threats. The project will also enhance the utilization of forest fibre by chipping the debris and utilizing that biomass for heat and possibly power. The DOS is in the process of planning and designing a bioenergy system to utilize biomass produced by the work of the project.