Video: FireSmart slash burning near the Squamish Airport

Did you see the smoke near the airport last weekend?

Squamish local John Buchanan pulled over to shoot this video of it. 

According to the District, last weekend's slash burning near Squamish Municipal Airport – Don Patrick Field is part of ongoing FireSmart activities to reduce wildfire spread.

The slash burning is expected to continue through March 2023.

“This was one of the priority recommendations of the District of Squamish Community Wildfire Protection Plan 2017 Update due to the presence of hazardous fuels adjacent to the airport and in this residential area. Fuel thinning removes fire fuel such as underbrush and woody debris from the forests, with the ultimate goal of improving public safety by reducing a forest’s ability to support a significant wildfire,” said District spokesperson Rachel Boguski in an email to The Squamish Chief.

According to Boguski, this work is taking place with funding from the Community Resiliency Investment program, which is administered by Union of BC Municipalities on behalf of the BC Ministry of Forests.  

The District has received more than $500,000 in grants for FireSmart initiatives since the program began in 2018, much of which has been used for fuel treatment in addition to home assessments, Community Chipper Days and the development of the Wildfire Development Permit Area for interface properties within Squamish, Boguski said.