People on Vancouver Island from Victoria to Campbell River may have noticed a few more low-flying planes or helicopters in recent days, as two ongoing projects resume their aerial operations.
For the planes, the B.C. government is currently spraying treatment for the invasive spongy moth.
The ministry says that left untreated the moths can spread to other areas of the province and, along with urban trees, pose a risk to forests, farms and orchards, as experienced in Ontario and the eastern United States in recent years.
Treatments will take place in the Capital Region, Port Alberni, Courtenay and Campbell River and will take place between April 1 and June 30.
There are three sprays planned which will take place over two days. Each spray will occur between seven to 10 days apart between mid-May and mid-June.
Each spray is scheduled to start at first light, and end no later than 7:30 a.m.
READ MORE: Insecticide treatments happening over Vancouver Island to control invasive moths
FortisBC is also flying aircraft over the region, but it is using helicopters to survey its gas transmission lines.
We’re conducting aerial inspections of our gas transmission lines. A low-flying helicopter will pass through #VancouverIslandBC and #LowerMainlandBC periodically from May to June. Thanks for your understanding while we complete this work. https://t.co/5n1x7RO1A6 pic.twitter.com/QP47JPZCxF
— FortisBC (@FortisBC) May 11, 2023
This is annual work the company does using LiDAR scanning to examine gas transmission lines for leaks or other potential issues.
It is anticipated to take place between May 1 and June 15 across the whole province.
READ MORE FROM 2022: Helicopter circling over Greater Victoria performing gas line scans for FortisBC
-With files from CHEK’s Ethan Morneau
Laura Brougham
