Spring of 2024 has been a busy time for FireSmart youth in Quesnel! From learning about targeted grazing using goats and sheep, going on a story walk with the Quesnel Literacy Society at the Fuel Management Trails, or entering our FireSmart coloring contest – these kids have been busy!

Targeted Grazing using Goats and Sheep

A herd of 120 goats and sheep, including two adorable, bottle-fed babies, were at the Fuel Management Trails for two weeks this spring. The goats and sheep merrily munched many bushes, grasses and invasive plants as a form of vegetation management called “targeted grazing.”

If livestock isn’t an option for keeping your property clear of fire fuels, FireSmart recommends the following:

  • Regularly mow and water grass within 10 metres around your home and other structures.
  • Prune evergreen tree branches two metres from the ground if they are within 30 metres of your home.
  • Remove all combustible materials (twigs, dry grass, logs, and leaves) within 10 metres of your home.
  • Do not use bark or pine needle mulch around your home as they are highly flammable.

A BIG thank-you to the Community Resilience Investment Program for their generous support of this initiative.

Adding to this year’s fun, the Quesnel Literacy Society hosted a story walk for kids throughout the trail system and had some crafts and snacks for everyone to share.

FireSmart participant with “Frosty” the lamb.

Literacy Quesnel’s Story Walk saw 35 participants.

 

Cute goat-themed crafts and FireSmart info.

Photo: BC Wildfire Service staff displaying FireSmart colouring contest entries.

2024 FireSmart Kids Colouring Contest

Thank-you to all of our young local artists!

This year’s winners, Brooklyn and Barett, Brinley, Breanna, Maxwell, and Aubry each received a book from the Quesnel Literacy Society (literacyquesnel.ca).

A special thank-you to all of these artists from our friends at BC Wildfire Service, who remind us that a few FireSmart choices (cutting grass, cleaning eaves, pruning trees etc.) can make a BIG difference in fire season.

Come and see all of the fabulous contest entries displayed at The Forestry Innovation Centre at 410 Kinchant Street until the end of summer.

The 2024 Winning art on display at the City of Quesnel’s Forestry Initiatives Centre along with the prizes from Quesnel Literacy Society!
 

Ember's Den - The FireSmart Fox

Visit Ember's Den to find great FireSmart resources for children, including videos, games, colouring books and more!

 

Ember's Den

Movie Night in the Park is back!

Spring was busy – but the fun isn’t over yet! Movie Night in the Park is back on July 28. Kung Fu Panada 4 will be featured, starting at dusk in LeBourdais Park. Come join us for this free family FireSmart event! Getting together as a community is a great way to relieve stress and have fun!
 

The Test -
A Documentary About Wildfire Resilience

The documentary The Test will be playing at the Sunset Theater in Wells on June 18. The show starts at 7 pm followed by a discussion about FireSmart.

The town of Logan Lake spent 18 years preparing for a wildfire they hoped would never come. Then, in 2021, it did. This is the story of Logan Lake's 18-year quest to become more fire resilient, resulting in them becoming the first FireSmart community in Canada. In 2021, when the Tremont Creek Wildfire roared toward Logan Lake, that 18 years of work was put to the test.

Learn more about the Forestry Initiatives Program today!