Parks Canada will begin its latest FireSmart project within the next week on the Hoodoo Bench as part of ongoing efforts to help protect the Banff townsite from possible future wildfires.
Small diameter trees on a 20-hectare section of the Hoodoo Bench, below Tunnel Mountain Drive and above the Bow River, will be cut, piled and burned from late January to late March.
Parks Canada officials say the risk of wildfire will be further reduced through the burning of common juniper, which is a highly flammable coniferous shrub.
“The goal of this project is to help protect people and infrastructure from wildfire,” said Dave Verhulst, public outreach officer for Banff National Park fire and vegetation management unit.
This work is part of several firebreaks that have been created over the last few years.
Parks says thinning, pruning and removing built-up vegetation are techniques that together can slow down an approaching wildlife and put firefighters in a better position to defend the town.
Parks want to warn the community that smoke will be produced when work begins on the Hoodoo Bench.
“The burning of debris piles and junipers will take place when wind direction and atmospheric venting conditions are optimal for maintaining good air quality,” said Verhulst.
