The City of Calgary says crews have cleared all 227 communities hit by September’s snowstorm, three weeks ahead of schedule.
Wildland Firefighters from Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development joined city crews and contractors to clear 19 million kilograms (19,000 tonnes) of debris from streets and alleys.
The debris was taken to the landfill for mulching. It took about 25,000 trips.
Calgarians were asked to pile broken branches and cut-up trees on the edge of their properties after a three day summer snowfall battered the city.
Get daily National news
Cleanup crews say they were about to complete the work in four weeks, partly because of otherwise favorable fall weather conditions.
The focus is now on to trees in public parks and along major roads that threaten public safety or property.
“There are over 500,000 public trees in Calgary, and preliminary assessments indicate that about 50% have been damaged,” says Nico Bernard, manager of The City’s Tactical Operations Centre. “Some trees will require corrective pruning, which Parks will begin right away and continue until the end of next year. Others will need to be replanted, which we will start in the spring and may take up to two years to complete.”
The city has placed ribbons on some trees, indicating it requires pruning. Signage will be posted if a tree needs to be removed.
If you still have tree debris in your yard:
- Small branches (no thicker than three inches) cut into three-foot lengths can be tied together and left inside black carts, or set next to carts for pick up if bins are full.
- City landfills will continue to waive dumping fees for tree debris until November 9th.
- Leaf and pumpkin drop-offs will also remain open until November 9th.
Any illegal dumping could result in a $250 fine.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.