(Image Credit: CFJC News)

By Sydney Chisholm

wildfire prevention

TNRD plans open house series to help build wildfire resilience

Oct 5, 2023 | 4:15 PM

KAMLOOPS – In an effort to prevent damage from wildfires from happening again next year, consultants from the Thompson Nicola Regional District will be touring the region, gathering information and notifying residents about the Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan.

“This will show, in a general sense for their communities,” Colton Davies, TRND communications manager, said, “where the risks are, where the risk is highest for wildfire, and where the needs are most significant for wildfire risk reduction work.”

During the sessions, presenters will educate residents on the risk of wildfire to their homes. They will also gather feedback from residents on perceived fire risks in their community.

“It’s important for residents to see these plans on paper. Residents know their own backyards the best,” Davies said. “We’re encouraging them to come out and see what our consultants have come up with based on their visits, the work that they’ve done in communities to get to this point and for residents to give their feedback.”

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Aside from community plans, the TNRD will also encourage each resident to FireSmart their homes.

“You often think about a fire encroaching on your land. But really one of the biggest risks for properties is embers from a fire nearby which, during an extreme wildfire, can travel up to 10 kilometres or potentially even more,” he said. “It’s a focus for private property owners – FireSmart is really focusing on the areas where you can reduce the risk.”

Two years ago, the District of Logan Lake was saved from the Tremont Creek wildfire, in part thanks to community involvement in FireSmart programming.

“Had we not mitigated, there’s no chance we would have stood,” Logan Lake Fire Rescue Chief Doug Wilson told CFJC News. “We’ve been FireSmarting the community of Logan Lake for nearly 20 years now. In our opinion, it has been a success and it’s a continuing project year after year.”

Wilson believes the upcoming open houses are a good first step in getting more communities involved.

“Word of mouth and public education are a big contributor to the FireSmart program to educate people,” the fire chief said.

Each open house will run from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a presentation at 6:30 p.m.

Open house dates and locations are as follows:

• Oct. 10 at the Savona Community Hall (Electoral Area “J”)
• Oct. 11 at the Blue River Community Hall (Electoral Area “B”)
• Oct. 12 at the Dutch Lake Community Centre (Electoral Area “A”)
• Oct. 16 at the Heffley Creek Community Hall (Electoral Area “P”)
• Oct. 17 at the Little Fort Community Hall (Electoral Area “O”)
• Oct. 18 at the 70 Mile Community Hall (Electoral Area “E”)
• Oct. 24 at the Lower Nicola Community Hall (Electoral Area “M” & “N”)
• Oct. 25 at the Ashcroft Hub (Electoral Area “I”)
• Oct. 30 at the Pritchard Community Hall (Electoral Area “L”)