Cosen's Bay Fuel Mitigation

This project involved the manual treatment of 7.2 hectares within Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park. The work was carried out as part of a fuel mitigation initiative designed to balance wildfire risk reduction with ecosystem restoration, with the goal of restoring the area to a healthier and more natural state.

The primary objective was to complete wildfire risk reduction within the designated treatment unit. This was done to create a defensible space that could be safely and effectively used for suppression activities in the event of a wildfire. Reducing fuel loads helped to decrease potential fire behaviour intensities and protect the remaining residual stems. In addition, the treatment provided a strategically important fuel break for Cosens Bay Road, helping to safeguard both park users and nearby communities.

The secondary objective focused on improving ecological conditions by spacing and thinning coniferous trees to a more suitable density. This approach supported the re-establishment of grasslands within the park, a critical habitat type that has been declining in the Okanagan. The work took place in and around sensitive ecosystems that provide habitat for numerous species at risk as well as wildlife unique to the region. As a result, the team applied additional caution and care during every stage of the project to ensure that ecological values were respected and protected while achieving the desired wildfire mitigation outcomes.