Aging and vulnerable forests ignite plans for new fireguards in Alberta [Video]

As Canadians watch in horror at the tens of thousands of California homes being consumed by out-of-control wildfires, construction of a new fire guard in Alberta’s Bow River Valley is underway in an attempt to protect the town of Canmore and other municipalities from a future fire.

“Wildfire remains the top rated hazard to life, property and critical infrastructure within and around the Bow Valley,” said Canmore Mayor Sean Krausert, as he joined Alberta Forestry Minister Todd Loewen, and other politicians to provide an update on construction of the new community fire guard.

Approximately 200 hectares (495 acres) of forest, mostly comprised of mature trees, is being harvested in the areas around Stone Works Creek, Harvie Heights and the East Park gates, on the south side of Highway 1, west of the Canmore.

Another 116 hectares of forest will be thinned out.

“Decades of fire suppression left our forests aging and vulnerable,” said Loewen.

“Wildfires can spread much more …