165 hectares of trees will be cut down in Banff National Park
Parks Canada says work is expected to begin later this fall on two projects aimed at mitigating wildfire risk in Banff National Park.
The projects come as part of the agency's commitment to reduce the possibility of wildfires in the region.
"The effects of climate change, in combination with historical fire suppression practices, are increasing the chance and severity of wildfires," Parks Canada said in a news release.
"More intense, faster moving and longer-lasting wildfires decrease the safety and security of Canadians, communities, and infrastructure."
- Sign up for breaking news alerts from CTV News, right at your fingertips
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
Officials say one of the projects this fall will focus on the Tunnel Mountain area by thinning trees in the area to reduce the fuel load and create a more open forest.
"(It) will help reduce the wildfire risk to nearby communities such as Banff, Harvie Heights and Canmore," the agency said.
Work on the second project, the Lake Louise community fire guard, will begin as early as Nov. 15 and will see the clearing of 165.4 hectares of trees.
Officials call it "a pro-active measure" to reduce wildfire risk to Lake Louise and surrounding communities.
Parks Canada says the trees will be removed from the south slope of Mount St. Piran behind the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise to the parking lot and ski runs of Lake Louise Ski Hill on Whitehorn Mountain.
Officials say fire guards such as these are important because they can help slow a wildfire and give firefighters a safe space to conduct their work.
Once it is complete, Parks Canada says there will be a notable difference in the landscape.
"The freshly created openings will allow more sunlight to reach the ground. This permits new grass and shrubs to establish over time," officials said.
"The landscape dictates the areas that trees can be removed from within the project boundary. Although changes are evident in the first couple of years after tree removal, it doesn’t take long for ground-covering vegetation to grow back."
The work is expected to take two or three winters to complete.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Bloc beats Trudeau Liberals in Montreal byelection, NDP holds on to Manitoba seat
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been handed his second byelection upset in recent months, as the Bloc Quebecois won LaSalle-Emard-Verdun, Que., a longtime Liberal seat in Montreal.
'Not that simple': Trump drags Canadian river into California's water problems
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump promised "more water than you ever saw" to Californians, partly by tapping resources from a Canadian river.
GoFundMe cancels fundraiser for Ontario woman charged with spraying neighbour with a water gun
A Simcoe, Ont., woman charged with assault with a weapon after accidentally spraying her neighbour with a water gun says GoFundMe has now pulled the plug on her online fundraiser.
'Phantom finance minister': Freeland says she's 'not going anywhere' after Conservative critique
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland declared she is 'not going anywhere' when pushed by the Conservatives on Monday about her future as finance minister.
Body recovered from B.C. lake after unclothed man leads investigators to crash site
Mounties are investigating a fatal crash north of Whistler, B.C., after an unclothed man who was found along the side of the road led police to a pickup truck submerged in a lake with one occupant still inside.
'Never seen anything like this': Humpback whale catches unsuspecting seal off Vancouver Island
A Vancouver Island nature photographer says he has never seen anything like what his camera captured on a recent whale-watching excursion off Victoria.
Suspect in apparent assassination attempt on Trump was near golf course for 12 hours
The man suspected in an apparent assassination attempt targeting Donald Trump camped outside a golf course with food and a rifle for nearly 12 hours.
Mortgage loan rules are changing in Canada
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has announced changes to mortgage rules she says are aimed at helping more Canadians to purchase their first home.
First teen sentenced in Kenneth Lee case gets 15 months probation
The first teenager to be sentenced in the death of a Toronto homeless man will not face further time in custody, and instead participate in a community-based program.