GEM Mapping & Design

Community Fire & Pine Beetle Interface Areas

Organization
GEM Mapping & Design

Author
Linda Decker

ESRI Software
ArcView 9.1

Data Sources
LRDW, Okanagan Shuswap Forest District, Timberline Forestry Consulting

Description
The fuel load in the Okanagan has increased due to the mountain pine beetle destroying an increasing number of trees, therefore, putting communities and ecosystems at risk.

Ministry of Forest's objective is to maintain and protect public health, safety and infrastructure, conserve long-term forest values, manage fuel hazard build-up, salvage the greatest value from damaged trees, and to prevent and reduce the spreading of further epidemic infestation to susceptible areas. Municipalities also provided funding for the project as the results will assist communities in developing community wildfire protection plans.

Acknowledgements
Heather Rice and Rick Specht