The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) is implementing a wildfire prevention plan at Nymph Falls park, with work projected to start the last week of May.
The Nymph Falls fuel management plan, which will modify vegetation, was proposed by the Coastal Fire Centre of the provincial Wildfire Management Branch to reduce the risk of wildfires starting in the park. Consultation has been ongoing with the regional district and the Plateau Road residents association.
The first phase will involve thinning the forest by removing small trees and pruning the lower branches of larger trees up to two metres above the ground, then chipping where possible and piling branches that cannot be chipped in preparation to burn the debris. This second phase of small pile burning will take place in the fall, when the weather is favourable, and will be done in compliance with the Wildfire Regulation and Open Burning and Smoke Control Regulation.
“Regional districts, communities, parks and protected areas can benefit from a landscape fire treatment like this,” said CVRD chair Edwin Grieve. “Taking this proactive measure reduces the chance of fire spreading from Nymph Falls park to adjacent neighbourhoods during what may prove to be a high risk fire season.”
The City of Courtenay fire department supports the CVRD's wildfire prevention work and urges homeowners to take precautions. “It is our hope that residents in this type of wild land interface area will help protect their home and property from the spread of wildfire by adhering to FireSmart principles,” said Don Bardonnex, City of Courtenay fire chief. “We encourage people to educate themselves with resources online, such as bcwildfire.ca.”
The proposed plan will have minimal disturbance of natural processes in the environment since wildlife habitat, such as nesting areas and berry bushes, will be preserved. No large trees will be removed, unless they are identified as dangerous trees with little wildlife tree value. The treatment is designed to maintain visual quality of the trails and walkways while improving safety for the users and residents.
Wildfire management crews will undertake the modification and the burning, and the timing will vary depending on weather, crew availability and other logistical considerations. The public is asked to respect the work zones, to protect their own safety as well as the safety of the crews.
For more information including a map of the treatment area, and a list of frequently asked questions, visit www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/parksconditions.