Logging to begin in fire area

Photo: Alanna Kelly/file photo

Crews from Gorman Bros. Lumber will begin salvage harvesting in the Philpott wildfire area east of Kelowna, starting this weekend.

Logging supervisor Shawn Clerke says the work will take about six weeks.

The public is advised the High Rim Trail through the fire area will be closed due to extreme risk of heavy equipment working in the area.

Approximately 10,000 cubic metres or 200 truck loads of burned timber is expected to be salvaged.

Crews should be able to harvest about 12 truck loads a day.

Clerke says the work could be delayed if heavy rains are experienced.

Useable timber must be salvaged before the summer heat, as the partially burned trees will begin to crack and degrade in quality, Clerke says.