On-reserve forest fuel management under the Federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program and Mountain Pine Beetle Initiative

We report here on the achievements and program costs for on-reserve forest fuel management under the Federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program and Mountain Pine Beetle Initiative. From 2002–2010 these two programs helped 88 First Nations bands and organizations plan and carry out forest fuel management on reserves across the BC interior. In all cases, the first step in treating hazardous fuels under these programs was the development of professionally prepared fuel management plans and prescriptions. After plans were in place, approximately 2700 hectares were treated through various combinations of thinning, pruning, fuel reduction and fuel removal. Over 8000 hazard trees were removed and approximately 15 km of fuel breaks were established. Costs to implement fuel treatments varied widely based on a number of factors including size of the area treated, initial stand conditions and density, terrain, treatment details, and site-specific values requiring protection.