A massive pile of driftwood skimmed from the forebay of the Revelstoke Dam looks set to be burned in a controlled fire this spring.
In years past, BC Hydro had chipped the logs at a city facility, but that chipping service is no longer being offered.
The pile on the south shore of Deadman's Creek has been sitting there since it was skimmed from the lake in 2011. The City of Revelstoke fire chief Rob Girard wants it gone because it is a fire hazard. He's ordered BC Hydro to remove the pile by June 18.
Hydro's plan is to burn the pile this spring. Most of the pile is expected to burn in about a day. A compressor will blow air into the remaining debris to stoke it over an anticpated five-day period.
Hydro will need to be granted a bylaw exemption for the burning. City council will consider a recommendation by the chief for an exemption from the fire chief at their March 27 regular meeting.
Although not recommended, another option presented by the fire chief would ask BC Hydro to chip the logs using a mobile chipper.
A management plan for the fire is spelled out in the city council documents.
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What do you think? Burn it? Chip it? Use it for firewood? Use it to make arts and crafts to sell at the Revelstoke Farm & Craft Market? Another option?