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Ridgemont trails to temporarily close due to debris removal

Parastone Developments said it needed to temporarily close some trails while it carried out burning of debris piles
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Logging in the Ridgemont area above Fernie. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

The Ridgemont trails above Fernie will be closed in coming days for the manager of the land, Parastone Developments, to burn debris piles.

“The pile burning is being carried out to clear away the branches and other wood debris that was left over from the city-approved logging and road-building activities that took place in 2018 and 2019,” said the company in a release.

“The removal of the debris will reduce the build-up of dead wood and combustible vegetation on the forest floor and help prevent the spread of wildfires. The pile burning has been approved by the BC Wildfire Service and will follow Ministry of Environment guidelines.”

The burning will take place over the next few weeks, with trails to stay closed throughout.

The company reported that warning signs would be posted to warn trail users, and it was encouraging users to use caution while in the area.

“Crews and equiptment will be on site and actively working in the area to manage the pile burning effectively.”

Trails in lower Ridgemont to be affected by full or partial closure at Town Loop, Old Stumpy, CDT (TGT), Oh DFear, Deadfall Downhill and Faceshots. Trails in upper Ridgemont affected are R-Trail, Kid’s Stuff, Upper Kid’s Stuff, Eric’s Trail, Roxy Roller, Ridgemont Road and the upper access to Space Unicorn.

Parastone said the exact timing of the removal will depend on weather, venting conditions, and snowfall, with burns only taking place when the weather is suitable.

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scott.tibballs@thefreepress.ca
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