Prescribed burns begin in Kananaskis Valley - Action News
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Prescribed burns begin in Kananaskis Valley

Alberta Parks has started conducting prescribed burns in the Evan-Thomas area of the Kananaskis Valley.

Burns are ongoing in the Evan-Thomas Provincial Recreation Area

The Evan-Thomas PRA, pictured here following the 2013 floods, is undergoing prescribed burns. (Flickr/davebloggs007)

Alberta Parks has started conducting prescribed burns in the Evan-Thomas area of the Kananaskis Valley.

It's part of the province's "10-Year Vegetation Management Strategy" for the area, which will see two prescribed burns each year for the next decade.

The Evan-Thomas Provincial Recreation Area, which includes NakiskaSki Resort, Mt. Kidd RV Park and Ribbon Creek, hasn't been touched by a wildfire since 1936.

"Over the past 80 years, effective wildfire prevention measures have nearly eliminated fire from this landscape," Alberta Parks said in a statement.

The Evan-Thomas PRA covers about 20,000 hectares. According to Alberta Parks, 1,500 hectares will be involved in the prescribed burns. (Alberta Parks)

The area has become increasingly popular with hikers and other tourists.

"Prescribed fires initiated this fall coincide with a lull in the tourist season and will be managed by firefighters with Alberta Forestry," the statement said.

About 1,500 hectares of the 20,000-hectare recreation area will be involved in the vegetation management strategy.