The Lil’Wat First Nation has completed the first phase of a forest fire mitigation project through the thinning of 70 hectares of forest around residential areas in the Mount Currie area.
Lil’wat Forestry Ventures Ltd. harvested 14,000 cubic metres of timber near homes and a school in the area above X-Stream Road in Mount Currie, as part of a fire mitigation project that started in May.
Timber harvested in the mitigation effort was turned into 45 truckloads of firewood for Lil’Wat elders. Trees near habitable areas were thinned to reduce the risk of interface fires.
“With all the wildfire activity occurring in the province, I feel very fortunate that we have the opportunity to do some preventative work toward devastating forest fires,” Skalulmecw Chief Dean Nelson said in a press release.
“Most, if not all, communities negatively affected by forest fire, in hindsight, wish they did some kind of preventative fuel thinning work around their communities. Another value that stems from clearing the underbrush is the increased visual awareness of larger predators coming around the community, again increasing safety.
“By removing around 14,000 cubic meters of timber, equating to roughly half the trees in the project area, the project has not only maintained the forest's natural aesthetic but also significantly diminished potential fire hazards by thinning out the forest.”
The project was funded by the Lil'Wat Nation, as it was not eligible for provincial or federal funding.
“Not every harvest has to be about revenue and merchantable timber,” said Lil’Wat cultural chief Kúkwpi7 Gélpcal Ashley Joseph. “This forest management has safety in mind through the fire guard and safety fence while being considerate of all precious cultural values.”
In addition to reducing the fire risk around residential areas, the thinning also helps promote growth of berries and plants used in traditional medicine, said cultural chief Kúkwpi7 Gélpcal, Ashley Joseph.
"Moreover, the strategic work has preserved the overall feel of the forest, ensuring the continued enjoyment of ATV riders, hikers, and biking enthusiasts, with the area now reopened to the public for such recreational activities," said Lil’wat Forestry Ventures Ltd.
The Lil'Wat Nation plans to initiate a second phase mitigation project this fall, with an additional 130 hectares of forest to be thinned.
