news

Cranbrook, BC (September 6, 2024) – Three separate prescribed burns are being planned to occur in September as part of the City’s ongoing efforts to reduce the risk of wildfire to the community. The prescribed burns would treat high priority sites near Moir Park, one adjacent to the Phillips Reservoir (Monday, September 9 - weather permitting), and a 10-hectare site just west of the road into the Canadian Rockies International Airport starting Tuesday, September 10, 2024, weather permitting.

People travelling to and from the airport can expect to see signage and flaggers in the burn area on the Airport Access Road but should not experience any delays. Minimal to no disruptions to regular operations at the airport is expected.

“The likely window of opportunity for these prescribed burns will be the last two weeks in September, although those dates are heavily dependant on the weather leading into the burns and conditions on the day of,” says Scott Driver, Director of Cranbrook Fire and Emergency Services.

Approximately ten years ago, the City harvested and burned the parcel south of the Moir Park ball fields. Currently, it has been determined that although the area was previously treated, there is an elevated risk. Cranbrook Fire and Emergency Services would proceed with a prescribed burn as site maintenance to ensure the long-term safety of the site. 

The City recognizes that Moir Park, and the private adjacent land, currently houses a number of homeless members of our community, and as such, the City is helping coordinate additional supports to address their needs for the duration of the prescribed burn and following the burn. Understanding increased use of the land leads to an increased risk of fire, the City is striving to strike a balance that is acceptable and accommodating to all stakeholders. Cranbrook Fire and Emergency Services is working closely alongside the Social Development Coordinator to proactively work with stakeholders, understand the challenges of this particular prescribed burn, and ensure the safety of all community members.

“We are working alongside non-profit organizations and agencies within the City to ensure the safety and well-being of all members of our community, should the prescribed burn at Moir Park proceed with favourable burning conditions,” says Marcel Germer, Social Development Coordinator. “This is an important project for the long-term safety of Moir Park and the larger community.”

Lands west of the Phillips Reservoir, spanning both sides of the BC Hydro transmission lines near the site are also to be treated this fall. The site was previously logged in two phases and would be burned collectively for the first time, should conditions allow. Significant resources would be in place to ensure the prescribed burn proceeds as planned, as preparations are still ongoing.

“These burns serve as important components of a much larger, coordinated effort to reduce fuels and reduce the risk of wildfire to residents and community infrastructure,” says Driver. “This work is ongoing and will continue to be ongoing as long as fuels grow, and wildfire remains a topic of concern.”

The City is currently updating the Community Wildfire Resilience Plan and will be reaching out to residents for their feedback and thoughts on community resilience in the near future.