Community

Selous Creek Wildfire Risk Reduction Project

Forest near Nelson

The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) and Kalesnikoff are collaborating on a Selous Creek fuel management project that is designed to reduce the risk of wildfire adjacent to the City of Nelson.

This project is supported through funding from the Forest Enhancement Society of BC and covers an area of approximately 65 hectares directly upslope from the Rail Trail on provincial Crown land.

The main objectives of the project are to reduce wildfire risk by retaining large, healthy fire-resistant trees, while removing dense understory trees and surface fuels, as well as enhancing infrastructure for potential future suppression efforts.

Similar projects have been completed in our area including in West Arm Provincial Park and Harrop Procter Community Forest. The Selous Creek project is unique due to its scope and scale, as well as the high level of collaboration between regional and municipal governments, fire services and a local licensee.

The planning for this project commenced in 2017. Kalesnikoff developed the cutting specifications in consultation with the RDCK and local experts. The first of several cutting permits was issued on June 3, 2021. Harvesting and debris removal will continue into 2022.

Additional information is available at www.rdck.ca/Selous