FireSmart projects to support economic renewal and protect Alberta communities

September 21, 2009

Macleod – Two projects in Macleod will receive funding through the Fire Hazard Reduction and Forest Health Program (FireSmart) to provide an immediate economic stimulus for Alberta forestry communities and reduce their susceptibility to wildfire

The Bragg Creek Community FireSmart Project in the County of Rocky View, and the Fire Hazard Reduction Project at Castle Mountain Resort near Pincher Creek were approved and announced today by the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, and the Honourable Ted Morton, Minister of Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, together with Trevor Wakelin, President of the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta.

“Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our Government is proud to support Alberta forestry communities and workers during these challenging economic times,” said Menzies. “Both the Bragg Creek and Castle Mountain projects will lead to new employment opportunities while enhancing the health and safety of Alberta’s forests.”                                                                                   

The Bragg Creek Community FireSmart Project will receive $200,000 and the Castle Mountain Fire Hazard Reduction Project will receive $277,463 in funding.

More than $5 million in funding will be directed towards the 14 projects, which are expected to create seasonal employment equivalent to 50 full-time positions in Alberta communities affected by the decrease in global demand for forest products. In addition, the projects will also help sustain more than 24 businesses and treat an estimated 1,693 hectares of forests that are currently exposed to wildfire hazard and other threats.

The projects will involve forest management activities such as disposing of dead wood debris and modifying stands of timber that have a high risk of catching fire. Benefits include reducing the threat of fire for communities in forested areas while protecting the value of existing timber resources.

Western Economic Diversification Canada, through the Community Adjustment Fund, and Alberta Sustainable Resource Development have each made an equal investment of $15 million towards enabling the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta (FRIAA) to

implement the FireSmart initiative. The projects announced today were selected from applications submitted under the first call for proposals, which was issued June 30, 2009. The deadline for submitting applications under the second call for proposals will be during mid to late October 2009. For more information on participating in subsequent calls for proposals under the Fire Hazard Reduction and Forest Health Program, visit www.friaa.ab.ca.