Wildfire recovery efforts to begin in Rose Valley Regional Park

People in West Kelowna may hear chainsaws buzzing and see heavy equipment in Rose Valley Regional Park as Phase 1 of the wildfire recovery efforts begin.

From Tuesday, Aug. 27, to Friday, Aug. 30, crews will be in the park felling danger trees that were damaged in last year’s McDougall Creek wildfire and pose a potential risk to the public.

Phase one of the project will see work focused on the trees nearest to the Rose Valley Elementary School.

After this work is done, crews will be cutting down danger trees located along other maintained trails within the park.

The final phase of the project will see operations moved off the trails and see crews harvest areas where there are large amounts of danger trees.

The Regional District of Central Okanagan says the park has been closed since the wildfire last summer and reminds the public to stay out and observe all barricades and signs. The park will reopen when the work is complete and it has been deemed safe once again.