The City of Nelson and the community of Ymir have received grant money from the Columbia Basin Trust and the province for wildfire prevention initiatives, according to a CBT news release.
With a $74,800 grant, Nelson will create a FireSmart co-ordinator position to manage the FireSmart program, which provides homeowners with a property assessment and free advice on how to reduce wildfire danger on their properties.
The Nelson grant will also fund the hiring of a building materials professional to assess and recommend building products that are suitable for building in the interface zone between urban and forested landscapes.
The Ymir grant of $125,000 will fund wildfire fuel treatment on two parcels of Crown land in a high wildfire-risk area.
These are two of 12 projects in 10 Columbia Basin communities to receive $1.2 million from a joint provincial government and CBT program intended to reduce wildfire risk and create jobs, the news release states.
“During last year’s devastating wildfire season I was able to see firsthand the impacts FireSmart practices had holding back the flames from the community of Logan Lake,” said forests minister Katrine Conroy.
“In the face of climate change, year-round efforts like this partnership with Columbia Basin Trust are needed to reduce wildfire risk so communities here in the Columbia Basin can remain vibrant and resilient.”
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