Alberta Parks reignites Ribbon Creek prescribed fire plan in K-Country

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Alberta Parks is tentatively planning to burn 260 hectares of forest within the Ribbon Creek drainage in Kananaskis this yr that was initially prescribed for fireplace in 2023 however not ignited on account of sizzling, dry circumstances.

The burn is an element of a bigger 7,900-hectare prescribed fireplace plan being damaged into a number of phases. Alberta Parks and Calgary Forest Space wildfire administration unit officers have additionally, since proposing the plan final yr, met with the Wild Sheep Basis of Alberta to regulate the scale of the burn to enhance bighorn sheep habitat.

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“They had been very concerned about rising the scale of the burn to reinforce sheep habitat,” Erica Samis, Calgary Forest Space forestry supervisor, just lately instructed the Kananaskis Enchancment District council. “So, we labored with them, readjusted the plan and developed the plan because it at present stands now.”

The primary 260-hectare subunit of the prescribed fireplace is positioned south of Nakiska Ski Resort and west of Kananaskis Village inside the Evan-Thomas Provincial Recreation Space and Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park.

Whereas ignition is slated for 2024, Samis stated it isn’t “totally anticipated” it would happen this yr with wildfire season beginning earlier and ongoing drought circumstances.

“Earlier than we will mild the unit, clearly we have now to ensure that the indices are there — that we have now the assets and the timing is correct in an effort to do this,” she stated.

Prescribed burn a proactive measure

Based on Alberta Parks, the Evan-Thomas space has not seen any main wildfires since 1936, resulting in an accumulation of forest fuels and a “very excessive threat of extreme wildfire.”

The prescribed burn will create a fireplace break, shielding communities, assets and infrastructure close by. It’s a proactive measure to curb potential wildfires and to maintain them from spreading down the valley.

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The established fireplace break may even create an space for firefighters to work within the space in case a wildfire does ignite.

The world is comprised of spruce, lodgepole pine and grassland meadows and prescribed fireplace is anticipated to enhance habitat for wildlife, together with bighorn sheep, bears, ungulates and different species.

“It’ll additionally enhance human-wildlife coexistence within the valley by drawing wildlife species away from extra populated areas the place conflicts might happen,” states an Alberta Parks truth sheet for the mission.

Fireplace will create extra improved habitat and room for brand new vegetation to ascertain, drawing wildlife into the realm and away from areas of excessive battle with people, just like the ski resort and close by lodges and trails.

Snowfall doubtlessly halting plans

Final yr’s work on the prescribed burn centered solely on establishing a fireguard. The guard concerned burning and reducing about 2.5 to a few kilometres into the prescribed fireplace space, alongside an present path.

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For the final week-and-a-half, Samis stated this work has continued, however is prone to be halted till not less than early April with new snowfall this week.

“We’ve got determined to take a break … I’m undecided if we’re going to fireplace up once more earlier than Easter lengthy weekend,” stated Samis. “It’s all actually going to depend upon how a lot snow we get. But when we get what’s forecasted, it’s unlikely we can resume our manufacturing.”

Supreme circumstances for guard burning are when the bushes within the guard space are “snow-free, however ample snow stays on the bottom,” states the Alberta Parks truth sheet.

If ignition of the remaining burn space does happen this yr, it’s estimated to take about 5 to 10 days to finish.

Space closures took impact March 11 and are anticipated to elevate March 28, however are topic to alter.

The second section of the fireplace will probably concentrate on the southwest portion of the prescribed space, round Ribbon Lake and Ribbon Falls, however won’t happen till not less than 2025.

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