Forestry and Parks - Request for Proposal - EDSON WILDFIRE RECLAMATION of EWF031 EAST

Alberta Forestry and Parks, in its mandate to prevent and suppress wildfires within the Province is required to reclaim disturbed forest land caused by wildfire suppression operations. These sites were essential for effective wildfire operations and include fireguards, creek crossings, pipeline crossings, and helipads. Wildfire reclamation is required to prevent or reduce the potential of soil erosion and ensure soil stabilization on or near the fire line. Reclamation of disturbances also promotes the recovery of the disturbed land base for wildlife habitat (i.e. caribou) and vegetative growth. Due to soil conditions, the reclamation work must be done when the ground conditions are in a frozen state. Wildfire EWF031-2023 is 201,913 ha in size. EWF031 EAST is located southeast of the town of Edson, near N53 21.5686 W115 45.3529 Also included in the EWF031 EAST contract will be 3 wildfires (EWF036, EWF056, and EWF093) from the 2021 wildfire season. One wildfire, EWF036-2021, was completely overrun in 2023 and the required reclamation of dozer guard/watercourse crossings is included in the data for EWF031. Wildfires EWF056-2021 and EWF093-2021 are located together east of the main wildfire near N53 23.6239 W115 22.2253 EWF031 EAST - During suppression efforts, there were approximately 128 km of fireguard constructed that requires reclamation. This construction involved heavy equipment pushing ground vegetation (shrubs, grasses, and trees) aside to expose mineral soil and restrict/slow wildfire progression. To assist ground crews; 22 stream crossings, 40 pipeline crossings, 2 helipads and 1 bell hole were built and will require reclamation as well. EWF056-2021 and EWF093-2021 are two interconnected wildfires. They have a combined length of approximately 6 km of fireguard that requires reclamation. There are also 4 stream crossings that were built at the time that may still require removal. Reclamation with mechanical equipment is required to recover the land base to a near natural state. The fireguard travels through mainly spruce and pine stands, taking advantage of natural clearings when possible. Reclaiming the fireguard will require pulling back the topsoil, woody debris, and any displaced trees onto the grubbed fire guard. The trees are to be broken up mechanically or manually slashed so to be made to lie flat to the ground. Leaning or damaged trees that cannot be reached mechanically without causing significant additional damage to the forest, will be manually felled and/or bucked to lie flat to the ground. There are specific erosion mitigation measures that need to be implemented directly on guard approaches at a number of watercourse crossing locations. Installation of cross ditches and silt fencing will also be required to aid in water run-off management and in trapping sediment before it gets into the watercourse.