File Photo (Image Credit: B.C. Wildfire Service)

By Boundary-Similkameen MLA Roly Russell

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Reducing wildfire risk

Jun 29, 2022 | 1:02 PM

LAST YEAR’S DEVASTATING FIRE SEASON was stressful and difficult for so many people and communities, and it highlighted the need for continued increases in wildfire prevention efforts. This summer, we had a cooler and wetter June but the risk of wildfires still remains. This is especially true in the southern Cariboo, Thompson-Okanagan, and Rocky Mountain Trench areas, where the forecast is showing drier-than-normal patterns for late July and August.

That’s why we are making historic investments to transform B.C.’s wildfire response service from our current reactive model to one that takes a year-round, proactive approach. This helps put B.C. in a position to better protect people and communities — making an especially big difference for those in higher-risk areas. We saw the need and heard the requests and are acting to further reduce wildfire risk.

In addition to proactive year-round fire service, we are funding more wildfire prevention projects, maintenance of forest service roads and capital projects that will increase capacity and equip fire bases for future wildfire seasons. We are increasing support for local governments and First Nations, who play a vital role in community resilience, by doubling funding for wildfire risk mitigation projects over the next three years. This includes projects for vegetation management to reduce flammable materials on the landscape, emergency-management planning efforts and projects to reduce risks to critical infrastructure and residential areas.

Earlier this month, we also released the Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy that articulates the actions we are taking at all levels to prepare for different types of climate-fueled extreme weather risks. When it comes to wildfires, the plan describes a suite of efforts, including expanding cultural and prescribed burning by working with Indigenous peoples in order to reduce wildfire risks and increase ecosystem resiliency.

The reality is that B.C. is on the front lines of climate crisis impacts – alongside wildfires, we’ve recently lived through unprecedented heatwaves, flooding and droughts. That’s why we’ve made record investments across the board to help people and communities recover from the unprecedented extreme weather of last year, and to prepare for climate-change disaster risks in the future – more than $2.1 billion in Budget 2022.

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I am confident that the steps we are taking will go a long way to reduce future disaster risks for communities and help people recover from these recent challenges. We’re committed to building a stronger, safer and more resilient future for everyone for generations to come.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.