Forestry and Parks - Request for Proposal - EDSON WILDFIRE RECLAMATION…

Alberta Forestry and Parks, in its mandate to prevent and suppress wildfires within the Province is required to reclaim disturbed forest land caused by wildfire suppression operations. These sites were essential for effective wildfire operations and include fireguards, creek crossings, pipeline crossings, and helipads. Wildfire reclamation is required to prevent or reduce the potential of soil erosion and ensure soil stabilization on or near the fire line. Reclamation of disturbances also promotes the recovery of the disturbed land base for wildlife habitat (i.e. caribou) and vegetative growth. Due to soil conditions, the reclamation work must be done when the ground conditions are in a frozen state.

Wildfire EWF031-2023 is 201,913 ha in size. EWF031 WEST is located south of the town of Edson, near N53 20.0394 W116 6.1756

Also included in the EWF031 WEST contract will be 4 wildfires (EWF028, EWF086, EWF096 and EWF108 from 2021 season. One wildfire, EWF086-2021, was completely overrun by the main wildfire and the required reclamation of dozer guard/watercourse crossings is included in the data for EWF031. Here are the locations for the additional wildfires added to this contract:

EWF028-2021: Located NE of the town of Edson at N53 45.1610 W116 39.4760 and is 30 hectares in size. During suppression efforts, there was approximately 5.04 km of fireguard constructed. This involves heavy equipment pushing ground vegetation (shrubs, grasses, and trees) aside to expose mineral soil and restrict/slow wildfire progression.

EWF096-2021: Located south of the town of Edson at N53 11.8851 W116 40.2762 and is
7 hectares in size. During suppression efforts, there was approximately 2.18 km of fireguard constructed. This involves heavy equipment pushing ground vegetation (shrubs, grasses, and trees) aside to expose mineral soil and restrict/slow wildfire progression.

EWF108-2021: Located NE of the town of Edson at N53 45.4100 W116 52.4800 and is 6 hectares in size. During suppression efforts, there was approximately 2.64 km of fireguard constructed. This involves heavy equipment pushing ground vegetation (shrubs, grasses, and trees) aside to expose mineral soil and restrict/slow wildfire progression.

Reclamation with mechanical equipment is required to recover the land base to a near natural state. The fireguard travels through mainly spruce and pine stands, taking advantage of natural clearings when possible. Reclaiming the fireguard will require pulling back the topsoil, woody debris, and any displaced trees onto the grubbed fire guard. The trees are to be broken up mechanically or manually slashed so to be made to lie flat to the ground. Leaning or damaged trees that cannot be reached mechanically without causing significant additional damage to the forest, will be manually felled and/or bucked to lie flat to the ground.

There are specific erosion mitigation measures that need to be implemented directly on guard approaches at a number of watercourse crossing locations. Installation of cross ditches and silt fencing will also be required to aid in water run-off management and in trapping sediment before it gets into the watercourse.

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