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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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