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VICTORIA
– BC Parks is authorizing the removal
of approximately 1,400 yellow (Ponderosa) pine trees infested with the western
pine beetle in Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park to reduce the spread of the beetle
onto adjacent lands near and within the City of Kelowna.
The
western pine beetle is a bark beetle that specifically attacks yellow pine
trees. It is particularly attracted to fire or drought stressed trees.
Populations of this beetle have been building in the Okanagan due to a
combination of low precipitation and fire stressed trees following the 2003
wildfires.
If
left untreated, this beetle infestation may further impact adjacent private and
city properties, as well as healthy yellow pine trees within the park. Ministry
of Forests and Range forest health experts believe aggressive treatment will
significantly reduce the risk from this beetle in 2006. “Fall and burn” is the
only feasible option to mitigate this risk prior to beetle flight in late April
or early May. If allowed to spread, the western pine beetle infestation may
reach levels that are impossible to control.
A
regional task force, which includes the City of Kelowna, Central Okanagan
Regional District, BC Parks and Ministry of Forests and Range staff recommended
that BC Parks authorize a fall and burn project within the park. The Ministry
of Forests and Range agreed to fund treatment within the park from the Forest
Health Program.
Hand
falling, piling and burning by contractors began earlier this week and will
last about two weeks. Public access will be restricted during this time due to
the dangerous nature of operations. Mechanical tree removal is not considered
an appropriate treatment option due to a combination of wet and very sensitive
early spring soil conditions.
The
small window for the project coincides with agricultural burning. Discussions
with the Ministry of Environment’s Environmental Protection Division, local
government and the Ministry of Forests and Range are ongoing to help mitigate
air quality impacts in the Okanagan Valley.
To
guide future management actions, BC Parks will work with the Ministry of
Forests and Range to establish a monitoring process to evaluate the success of
the Myra-Bellevue project and determine future management actions if required.
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contact: |
BC Parks Area Supervisor 250 490-8250 |
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