As part of a larger effort to increase public safety in City Creek Canyon, the Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities will be creating a shaded fuel break along the canyon road. 

Creation of the break will begin this spring and will continue throughout the summer. The shaded fuel break will be along the north and west side of the road, for the entire length of the paved road. 

The primary purpose of this shaded fuel break is to improve both public and emergency responder safety in the event of a wildfire in City Creek Canyon.

A shaded fuel break uses undergrowth thinning and selective tree removal to eliminate dry, high burn potential debris. Mature trees are left in place while limbs lower than 15 feet and undergrowth are cleared.  This thinning and removal is achieved by using chainsaws, chipping equipment and ‘other tools’.  A shaded fuel break is not a clear cut.

This technique is commonly used among land management agencies to maintain safe ingress and egress from wild areas.  Local examples of shaded fuel breaks include the Millcreek Canyon road corridor, Red Butte Natural Research Area, and various locations within Emigration Canyon.

Contracted by Salt Lake City, the Unified Fire Authority will be creating the shaded fuel break.  

City Creek Canyon will not be closed during the creation of the fuel break; however the public can expect utility vehicles and noisy trimming machinery operating on the road that may require temporary restrictions to segments of the road for public safety.

The public is invited to attend an informative open house on April 6, 2009 at the Salt Lake City Main Library, 210 East 400 South, Conference Room B, from 6 to 9 PM.

More information about the shaded fuel break can be found online at www.slch2o.com/firesuppression.htm . Inquiries may be directed to Florence Reynolds, Water Quality Administrator, at (801) 483-6864 or florence.reynolds@slcgov.com.