Kelowna News

As air quality and venting conditions permit, the Regional District of Central Okanagan plans to burn wood debris in Scenic Canyon Regional Park.

Communications Coordinator Bruce Smith says the debris is from dead pine beetle infested trees that pose both a fire and safety hazard because they are located along a steep section of the Mission Creek Greenway Grasslands/Bypass trail.

"They were removed during the trail upgrading that is underway from the area just below Gallagher’s Canyon Golf Course where there’s limited access for chipping or grinding equipment or the ability to get the debris out," says Smith.

"The burning option was selected in order to protect the park environment from equipment damage and to dispose of this material that could be a fire hazard if it was left on the ground."

Smith says the debris will be burned in accordance with Regional District and City of Kelowna regulations, with an approved permit from the City fire department and only when air quality and venting indices are good.

Neighbouring residents and the Gallagher’s Canyon Golf Course have been notified by letter of the plan to conduct the debris burn.

When a decision is made to begin burning, local fire departments and media will be alerted and a notice will be placed on the Regional District website.

Link: RDCO website