Chris Clegg
South Peace News
The Town of McLennan is applying for a $150,000 Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta (FRIAA) grant to help protect the community from wildfires.
Council endorsed the application after hearing from M.D. of Smoky River director of protective services/fire chief Marcel Maure, who appeared as a delegation at the Sept. 9 meeting to update council on the grant application. The M.D. provides fire services to the Town.
Maure told council not all the wildfire risk areas are able to be addressed. He referred to land southeast of town which is privately owned; however, lands to the north by the Kimiwan Lake lakeshore could have work done to mitigate the potential damage by wildfire. He suggested a “walkway” be built so a wildfire would have less fuel to burn. The walkway would be built where there was a trail years ago.
Councillor Sue Delaurier lives in the area and noted the recent growth of grass and shrubs needed to be cleared.
“I think it’s a good thing,” she said of the application.
“It’s a grant and it’s free,” added Councillor Darlene Payou.
“We can do it cost-free,” added Mayor Jason Doris.
The grant application was made Sept. 10.
Earlier, Maure added council could apply for a $200,000 grant but it was suggested to him $150,000 was enough. If the grant is accepted, work would likely be completed next spring.