Wildfire burn clean-up is the controlled removal of burned material, unstable trees, ash, and fire-damaged structures from an affected property, staged so the site does not become more unstable. On most Okanagan properties it also includes drainage repair and erosion control, because the ground has lost the root structure that was holding it together.
This is the part that gets done backwards most often, and it is why the contractor you pick matters. Fire removes the plants and roots that held the soil together. Water then concentrates in places it never used to, cuts new channels, plugs culverts, and carries ash and sediment downhill into ditches, creeks, and whatever sits below you. On a lot of properties the first heavy rain after a fire does more measurable damage than the fire did.
So on a burned site we look at drainage before the debris pile. Where is water coming from, where is it crossing, and where should it go. If a culvert needs clearing or a ditch needs cutting, that happens early, not after the cleanup is finished and the machines have gone home.
Rock Hard Excavating has been doing trenching, storm drainage, and site grading across the Okanagan since 2011, including subdivision-scale storm tank and water main work at the Cara Glen and Glen Park projects. Burn clean-up is that same crew and that same equipment, pointed at a fire-damaged site.
Nine stages, in the order they happen on a fire-affected property. The order is not arbitrary. Doing debris before drainage is how a cleanup turns into a washout.
Step 1: Site Walk & Hazard Assessment
Step 2: Safe Access & Work Zone Setup
Step 3: Drainage Before Debris
Step 4: Hazard Tree Removal
Step 5: Debris Clearing & Sorting
Step 6: Timber Salvage Assessment
Step 7: Erosion Control Before the Rain
Step 8: Grading & Ground Repair
Step 9: Haul-Out, Cleanup & Walkthrough
Burn clean-up is rarely the only scope a fire-affected property needs, and on most sites these overlap rather than run one after the other. The right mix depends on slope, soil, access, and how water crosses the land.
Hello, my name is Jody Wurst.
Rock Hard Excavating was established in 2011 with one truck, one bobcat, and one excavator. I like to say I've been playing in the sandbox since before I could walk, and over the years I've turned that passion into a craft I take a lot of pride in. With more than 20 years of hands-on experience, not counting the sandbox years, we've grown into a team of over a dozen employees with the equipment and expertise to take on virtually any job that comes our way.
Fire changes what a property needs, and it changes it fast. The ground moves differently, the water goes somewhere new, and things that looked solid last month are not solid any more. What does not change is the work itself. Clearing a burned site is excavation, drainage, and grading, done carefully and in the right order, and that is what this company has been doing across the Okanagan since 2011.
Our goal at Rock Hard Excavating is simple. We want to be your one-stop shop for all your excavating needs. Life is busy, and dealing with multiple contractors can be stressful. We believe it should be easier than that. When you work with us, you get a team you can trust to do the job right the first time, with clear communication, organized job sites, and a strong focus on safety, quality, and timelines.
Over the past 15 years working throughout the Okanagan, we've also built a strong network of skilled trades and trusted partners to support projects of all sizes. That means your project can be a smooth, hassle-free experience from start to finish. We're proud of the work we do, and references for any type of project are always available upon request.
We service the entire Okanagan Valley, from Vernon to Peachland and everything in between. If your property has been through fire, call us and we will come and walk it with you.
Warm regards,
Jody Wurst
Founder, Rock Hard Excavating
Brad Davies
I can't recommend Rockhard Excavating enough! They recently completed several major projects on my acreage, including building out a new driveway, digging utility trenches, and performing extensive forest maintenance for fire mitigation.
Harvey Mann, EIT – CTQ Consultants
Working with Rock Hard was an exceptional experience. Their professionalism, attention to detail, and commitment to delivering high-quality results were truly commendable. Throughout the project, they maintained excellent communication, ensuring that every aspect of the job was executed flawlessly. I highly recommend Rock Hard for anyone seeking reliable, skilled, and dedicated professionals for their contracting needs.
Tracey Gosling
I could not be happier to provide a glowing review for the rock wall I recently had compelted by Rockhard Excavating! Jody and Christina came to my property to review my vision for the final result and quickly provided an itemized quote and an estimate date of completion. The job was performed on time, on budget, and with absolute perfection. Their technician, Cody, was an absolute gem. Kind, courteous, and a keen eye for detail. I love my new rockwall. I was literally brought to tears when I saw the end result. I cannot thank you guys enough. With gratitude, Tacey.
Not always, and it is the first thing we check. Burned trees can fail without warning in wind, ash hides holes and sharp debris, and ground under a burn is often softer than it looks. If the area is still under an evacuation order or alert, nobody goes on it until the authority having jurisdiction releases it. Once it is released, a person walks the property before any equipment does.
Sooner than most people expect, and the reason is weather rather than tidiness. Drainage and erosion work has a window that closes with the first heavy rain. Debris removal can usually wait a few weeks. Clearing a plugged culvert above your driveway usually cannot.
We have billed an insurer directly before, so the paperwork is familiar ground. Filing and negotiating the claim itself stays between you and your insurance company. What we give you is a written, itemised scope with photographs taken before and after the work, which is what an adjuster asks to see.
It goes to the appropriate disposal or processing facility for what it is. Burned structural material, vegetation, and salvageable timber do not all go to the same place. We sort as we load so material is handled once rather than moved twice.
Some, depending on burn severity, species, stem condition, and whether a truck can reach them. We assess it during the site walk. Where salvage makes sense it can offset part of the cleanup cost. Where it does not, we say so rather than moving wood around for nothing. See timber salvage for the full scope.
It depends on acreage, access, slope, how much material is coming off the site, and how far it has to travel. There is no honest per-square-foot number for burn clean-up. The site visit and estimate are free, and the estimate is itemised so you can see what each part of the scope costs and decide what to do now and what can wait.
We provide commercial, residential and civil excavation and hauling services in Kelowna and surrounding areas. We specialize in civil land development and related infrastructure, offering comprehensive services that include excavation, road construction, and utility installation to support sustainable and efficient community growth.
