qathet Regional District (qRD) has announced the return of the regional FireSmart program for 2020.
This is the fourth consecutive year of the program, according to a media release from qRD. With funding support from the Province of BC and Union of BC Municipalities’ community resiliency investment fund, qRD is able to continue to offer education, training and planning toward mitigating negative impacts from wildfire to public and private properties across the region, the release stated.
Regional FireSmart coordinator Marc Albert stated that 2019 saw a significant increase in the number of residents contacting the program for FireSmart advice. This year the program will continue to offer free home and property wildfire hazard assessments.
Property owners may also qualify for rebates up to $500 for completing eligible FireSmart improvements around their home, according to Albert.
Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons is welcoming $67,700 to assist the regional district with FireSmart programming and wildfire preparation.
“FireSmart Programming helps empower people and strengthen communities,” stated Simons in a media release. “This funding will promote wildfire preparedness in the qathet Regional District through training, education and cooperation.”
Funding going to the regional district will support FireSmart education and demonstrations, FireSmart activities for private land, and inter-agency cooperation and cross-training.
Simons stated qathet Regional District is one of almost 90 local governments and First Nations throughout BC benefiting from almost $9 million in new provincial government grantsto support wildfire risk reduction projects through the Community Resiliency Investment (CRI) program.
The CRI program helps reduce wildfire risks and impacts in BC communities by providing funding and support to complete FireSmart initiatives and fuel management activities, according to the media release. The program is administered by the Union of BC Municipalities.
Residents interested in information on how to make FireSmart improvements to their homes and properties are encouraged to contact the qRD office, or Albert directly at firesmartpr@gmail.com.
