It’s been a process that has been in negotiation and seen stops and starts over more than five years, but there will be fuel reduction work in the Kimberley Nature Park this summer.

Kimberley Nature Park Society President Kent Goodwin says this is just the start of work that will occur in the park in the coming years.

“It’s partly to protect the town from fire, partly eco-system restoration,” Goodwin said.

Goodwin says two areas, comprising 52 hectares will be hand treated and thinned.

“They will pick up debris on the forest floor and put it in slash piles for burning. They will be cutting some small trees, the ladder fuels that allow fire to get up into the canopy. Those will go in piles to burn too. And there will be some medium size beetle kill pine taken out.”

Tenders for the work are out now and close this Friday, June 2, 2010. A decision should be made by June 9 and work would begin immediately.

The message Goodwin wants out now is that those who use the Nature Park should expect some trail closures while the work is carried out. The Society will make every effort to keep people informed, he says.

“We anticipate there will be trail closures but we did get commitment from Al Collinson (Kimberley Fire Chief) that he will work with the contractor to let people where and when, and to try not to have all trails in one area closed at the same time.

Trails affected will be Lower Army road, Romantic Ridge, the Suicide and Pat Morrow Trail.

“We’re hoping that at any given time, not all trails will be closed we’ll be able to tell the public each week what will be closed the next week.”

Goodwin says the information will be posted on the Nature Park website.

“Because They will be cutting near trails we certainly don’t want people hurt. They will be putting signs up as well, but do check the website.”

The Nature Park website is located at kimberleynaturepark.rockies.net