Wildfire, as last summer showed us, poses a significant risk to our area.
BC Parks, the City of Nelson and the Regional District of Central Kootenay are working together to mitigate that risk by updating community wildfire protection plans and undertaking operational fuel treatments. This collaborative approach to wildfire planning will consider the landscape, community watersheds and climate change.
By working together, these governments will explore opportunities to share resources to achieve common objectives in reducing wildfire threats in local communities and West Arm Provincial Park. RDCK Areas E and F and the City of Nelson are currently updating their community wildfire protection plans and BC Parks is completing its fire management plan for West Arm Provincial Park.
In 2006, the RDCK completed community wildfire protection plans which were used to guide planning for wildfire risk. Over the past 10 years, operational fuel treatments have been completed in Balfour, Harrop, Procter, Blewett and Taghum. The City of Nelson has undertaken fuel treatments near Mountain Lakes, the cemetery, the Five Mile water line and Art Gibbon Park. BC Parks has planned and executed prescribed burns in West Arm Provincial Park.