Prescribed burns begin in Kananaskis Valley

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 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.

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