Separated into three distinct areas, work at the CNCPP will occur at the east end (upper and lower) and the west end of the park to the boundary of Banff National Park. Similar to Phase 1 (Stoneworks Creek, Harvie Heights, and East Park Gates), construction at the CNCPP will be a blend of mechanical harvesting, hand-crew clearing, and hand-crew thinning.

Work is scheduled to begin on August 18, 2025 (after the restricted activity period, as defined by the Migratory Bird Convention Act), and will run through the end of March 2026. Debris pile disposal will occur during the winter of 2026/27.

At the same time as construction begins on the fireguard, Alberta Parks will begin work on a project to the west of the CNCPP East (Upper) construction area. While the project has similar benefits to the landscape as the fireguard (i.e. fuel reduction, habitat enhancement) and may appear to look like the fireguard, Alberta Parks’ project is not part of the fireguard’s construction.

A high-level map of affected areas at the CNCPP can be viewed here.

In total, approximately 82 hectares of forest will be harvested and cleared across the Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park East (Upper and Lower) and West as part of the fireguard’s construction, with an additional approximate 35 hectares of thinned forest. As with Phase 1, Phase 2 focuses on harvesting lodgepole pine and spruce trees. Deciduous trees and Douglas Fir will be retained. The ground cover will be retained as much as possible.

You can read more about the Community Fireguard Program here.