Victor Lake Community Fire Guard

Project Background- The Edson Forest area has identified the need to establish a community fireguard for the Victor Lake Co-operative. This initiative aims to enhance the community's resilience against the increasing threat of wildfires. The goal is to establish a proactive and collaborative effort to safeguard lives, properties, and traditional use lands of the residents of Victor Lake Co-operative. The proposed fireguard encompasses fuels that have been identified as needing to be removed adjacent to Victor Lake, AB to help protect the community in the event of a wildfire. As large portions of the fireguard will be constructed on Victor Lake Co-operative municipal land, the successful proponent must have an established relationship with Victor Lake Co-operative members and President and have permission and ability to work on private property, and have equipment stay on site in the community. Proponent must have accommodations on site to facilitate timeliness of project completion, and communications with residents. Project Objectives- The prime objective of this treatment is to remove the fuel load adjacent to the community of Victor Lake Co-operative and reduce potential fire intensity and ember transport from wildfire. The fireguard will be 40 meters in width and will have a total area of 11.6 hectares. The fireguard construction will require complete removal of all fuels including all standing timber, downed and dead woody debris, and establish bare mineral soil along the entirety of the fireguard. Standing timber will be salvaged for home heating use of the residents of Victor Lake Co-operative. Non-salvageable standing timber, and all remaining debris and fuel must be disposed of. Burning of debris will require an engineered product such as contained metal sloop, or a large capacity curtained air burner due to proximity of project location to the community. Project Structure/Business Model-The contract will be an all-inclusive removal of standing timber, and woody debris in a way that meets contractual standards. The work will require a combination of hand crews (power saws) and suitable heavy equipment capable of removing timber and woody debris and creating a fuel free fireguard down to mineral soil, including, but not limited to: excavator with thumb of suitable class and size to move standing timber, and bulldozer(s) of suitable class and size for clearing debris and removal of over-burden to mineral soil. An engineered product as listed in project objectives will be required for woody debris disposal. Salvageable timber will be taken to a location identified by Victor Lake Co-operative President to be utilized for home heating. Key Stakeholders- Victor Lake Co-operative President and members, residents of Victor Lake Co-operative, Alberta Forestry and Parks. Related Project Documents – Geo referenced PDF map of project site