A prescribed fire was successfully burned along the valley 20 kilometres north of Peace River recently.

About 700 hectares of grass, debris and shrubs were ignited along the slopes.

Environment and Sustainable Resource Development and the Alberta Conservation Association have been working together to complete a number of prescribed fires along many of the river valleys in the Peace area.

“We’ve been working together since the ‘80s,” said Crystal Burrows, information officer, ESRD. “They came to us looking for help improving habitat along the valley; they help us identify the sites to burn.

“We’re basically in charge of operations – the planning of the prescribed fire and the implementation of the actual burn.

“We’ve also done over 50 hectares of hazards reduction burns around our own facilities – our camps, our lookouts (towers) and our fuel caches.

“Also the Town of Peace River and some (other) communities as well, including Cadotte, Martin River, Simon Lakes and Little Buffalo.”

These burns were done from mid-April to the first week of May.

Burrows pointed out the difference between prescribed fires and hazard reduction burns.

“Hazard reduction burns are the burning of dried, cured grasses. They are done by hand with a drip torch.

“Prescribed fires can be done with drip torches but (usually) helicopters do aerial ignition – dropping ignited fuel on forest vegetation - because they’re larger in scale.

“Prescribed fires,” Burrows continued, “can be done for a number of reasons, anything from mountain pine beetle control to ‘Fire Smarting’ (creating an area of less flammable vegetation), to improving habitat.

Fireguards are established before burns begin to ensure the fires are contained within the pre-determined boundaries. Fire suppression resources are strategically located to make sure the fire is contained. Measures are taken to limit the effects of smoke in the area and to have a minimal impact on nearby communities and residences.

Burrows said river valleys are important winter habitat. Early succession forest vegetation is especially important because the resulting shrub growth is important forage for the moose, deer and elk in such areas.

“By burning off the leaf and grass debris, the nutrients are returned to the soil and competition to forage plants is decreased, therefore increasing the food that is available for these animals. Fire in these stands also serves to decrease the tick populations, providing…another positive outcome for wildlife in the area.

“By imitating natural wildlife in a controlled manner, these projects will support the long term sustainability of these habitat areas.”

Burrows noted the prescribed fires provide “a plethora of information for the many scientists who study fire behaviour, while allowing ESRD the opportunity to provide hands-on training to their staff in a well-planned, controlled and non-emergency situation”.

The fire danger rating is high in the area. “In general, it’s been high all spring,” Burrows said. “We’ve had a very dry spring this year, with a lot of days with strong wind, which further helps dry out vegetation and of course, spreads fire faster.”

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