Wildfire measures proposed for Silver Star
Steps are being taken now to minimize the risk of wildfire during the long, hot summer.
The Regional District of North Okanagan is seeking a grant from the Union of B.C. Municipalities for fuel treatment for Silver Star Mountain.
“Anything we can do to look at fuel management is good news,” said Mike Macnabb, BX-Silver Star director.
“We have had some significant potentials (fires) before. We need to reduce the fuel load.”
Under the proposal, trees would be trimmed and underbrush would be cleared.
“If we remove the fuel load, the intensity of a fire will be reduced,” said Macnabb.
Silver Star and the BX are the site of significant financial investment in terms of residential and commercial properties.
While there are two fire departments, fire hydrants do not exist in many cases.
“The first line of defence is precautionary,” said Macnabb of the need to reduce the fuel that can feed a wildfire.
The Silver Star fuel treatment project would cost about $85,000, with RDNO providing $8.500 and the remainder coming from UBCM.
“A fuel treatment prescription was completed for Silver Star in late November 2011,” said Ron Baker, RDNO’s community and protective services manager.
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