Recently, local social media has been abuzz with concerns about the wildfire risk posed by dried trees in the ditch along Raven Hill Road.
A vigilant FireSmart resident of Raven Hill noted the necessity of removing these trees. However, the current dry conditions make chainsaw use perilously dangerous.
Concurring with this assessment, the AMFD Fire Chief coordinated a work party to section the trees into manageable pieces. This task was undertaken by several AMFD members and two FireSmart volunteers, dedicating over two hours to cut, stack, and transport branches to Wapiti Pit, with an AMFD fire truck on standby in case the chainsaw sparked a fire in the dry grass.
Ideally, the contractor who felled the trees last Spring should have completed this task, as it falls outside AMFD's purview. Nevertheless, given the high wildfire risk, it was imperative to address the situation safely.
The chainsaw operation was conducted without incident, and approximately half of the branches were moved to Wapiti Pit. The remaining branches have been cut and arranged beside the road.
Heartfelt gratitude is extended to Chief Grob and the volunteers for their efforts during a sweltering day amidst a demanding wildfire season.
Residents willing to form a work party to finish this task are encouraged to contact Gerry for access to Wapiti Pit.