Watershed Park Wildfire Prevention Project

Share Watershed Park Wildfire Prevention Project on Facebook Share Watershed Park Wildfire Prevention Project on Twitter Share Watershed Park Wildfire Prevention Project on Linkedin Email Watershed Park Wildfire Prevention Project link

Thank you for your interest. The project has now concluded.

*This project is now complete.*

Due to the impacts of climate change, the City of Delta is striving to proactively manage our urban forest and mitigate wildfire risks. This year, the focus will be on Watershed Park because of its size and proximity to residential neighbourhoods.

The City of Delta is focusing treatments on areas near the residential fence line to protect houses. Part of this process includes:

  • Falling a portion of small trees with trunks less than 12.5 cm in diameter
  • Retaining larger live trees
  • Falling danger trees
  • Pruning tree branches up to a height of 3 m
  • Removal of surface fuel (collection, piling)
  • Maintaining large woody debris and standing dead trees for wildlife habitat
  • Chipping and blowing on-site and hauling off-site

Treatment Operations Plan

The proposed treatments will modify stand structure to reduce potential surface and crown fire behaviour by:

  • Maximizing retention of dominant and co-dominant canopy trees to maintain a cool and moist understorey microclimate, where appropriate;
  • Thinning smaller trees up to 12.5 cm in diameter, and pruning retained trees, to reduce the risk of fire laddering into the tree canopy;
  • Reducing fine surface fuel loading (e.g. dead branches) and increasing crown base height to limit critical surface fire intensity;
  • Retaining wildlife habitat features (e.g. wildlife logs and wildlife trees);
  • Retaining and encouraging live deciduous tree and shrub species with a high moisture content to reduce fire behaviour, maintain biodiversity and provide wildlife habitat; and
  • Removal of hazard trees where necessary to provide safe access for firefighters.


Example of pre- and post-treatment conditions from a fuel management prescription. Top photo/diagram illustrates pre-treatment conditions; bottom photo/diagram illustrates post-treatment conditions. Different prescription specifications, as well as site attributes (i.e. tree species composition, stem density, age class distribution, and crown closure) will affect post-treatment conditions.


Temporary Trail Closures

Please note that there will be temporary trail closures during this project to keep park users safe.

The map below indicates the extent of trail closures. Trail closures will start in September 2024. There may be additional intermittent closures of brief duration.

FireSmart Information

Help reduce the risk to life and property by following a few easy steps to FireSmart your home:

1. Clean and maintain gutters and roofs. Keep decks and balconies clear of leaves and debris.

2. Keep grass and weeds cut below 10 cm.

3. Move firewood and lumber 10-30 m away from home.

4. Prune trees to create a 2 m clearance from the ground to the lowest branches.

5. Plant fire-resistant plants and shrubs.

Refer to FireSmart BC to download the Homeowner's Guide for more information on how to FireSmart your home.

*This project is now complete.*

Due to the impacts of climate change, the City of Delta is striving to proactively manage our urban forest and mitigate wildfire risks. This year, the focus will be on Watershed Park because of its size and proximity to residential neighbourhoods.

The City of Delta is focusing treatments on areas near the residential fence line to protect houses. Part of this process includes:

  • Falling a portion of small trees with trunks less than 12.5 cm in diameter
  • Retaining larger live trees
  • Falling danger trees
  • Pruning tree branches up to a height of 3 m
  • Removal of surface fuel (collection, piling)
  • Maintaining large woody debris and standing dead trees for wildlife habitat
  • Chipping and blowing on-site and hauling off-site

Treatment Operations Plan

The proposed treatments will modify stand structure to reduce potential surface and crown fire behaviour by:

  • Maximizing retention of dominant and co-dominant canopy trees to maintain a cool and moist understorey microclimate, where appropriate;
  • Thinning smaller trees up to 12.5 cm in diameter, and pruning retained trees, to reduce the risk of fire laddering into the tree canopy;
  • Reducing fine surface fuel loading (e.g. dead branches) and increasing crown base height to limit critical surface fire intensity;
  • Retaining wildlife habitat features (e.g. wildlife logs and wildlife trees);
  • Retaining and encouraging live deciduous tree and shrub species with a high moisture content to reduce fire behaviour, maintain biodiversity and provide wildlife habitat; and
  • Removal of hazard trees where necessary to provide safe access for firefighters.


Example of pre- and post-treatment conditions from a fuel management prescription. Top photo/diagram illustrates pre-treatment conditions; bottom photo/diagram illustrates post-treatment conditions. Different prescription specifications, as well as site attributes (i.e. tree species composition, stem density, age class distribution, and crown closure) will affect post-treatment conditions.


Temporary Trail Closures

Please note that there will be temporary trail closures during this project to keep park users safe.

The map below indicates the extent of trail closures. Trail closures will start in September 2024. There may be additional intermittent closures of brief duration.

FireSmart Information

Help reduce the risk to life and property by following a few easy steps to FireSmart your home:

1. Clean and maintain gutters and roofs. Keep decks and balconies clear of leaves and debris.

2. Keep grass and weeds cut below 10 cm.

3. Move firewood and lumber 10-30 m away from home.

4. Prune trees to create a 2 m clearance from the ground to the lowest branches.

5. Plant fire-resistant plants and shrubs.

Refer to FireSmart BC to download the Homeowner's Guide for more information on how to FireSmart your home.