Firesmart in Strathcona County

Reducing the Risk of Wildfire

Gareth Swinnerton Strathcona County

Supervisor of Forestry and Horticulture

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FireSmart Wildfire Risk Reduction

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Strathcona County • Specialized Municipality

• 1262 square km

• Population 98,381

• 74,000,000 trees

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Wildfire Risk Reduction Working Group

• Strathcona County Emergency Services

• Recreation Parks and Culture

• Transportation and Agriculture Services

• Planning and Development Services

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Working Group Priorities • Inventory and evaluate fire risk on public land in Strathcona County

• Reducing the fire risk in identified areas

• Identify changes needed to current public land maintenance practices

• Public Education

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Wildfire Risk Assessment

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Operational Changes • Training of Strathcona County staff

• Remove dead plant material from high risk areas

• Forestry crews remove felled trees

• Establish fire breaks and mow strips where needed

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Lessons Learned • Be proactive

• Interdepartmental cooperation

• Include residents

• Share information

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