FILE PHOTO
(KIM ANDERSON / iNFOnews.ca)
September 09, 2022 - 11:30 AM
Kamloops firefighters did more than 90 fire smart assessments for residents in a three month period this year, after having done only one in the same time last year.
Kamloops fire chief Ken Uzeloc said the requests came in response to the devastating wildfire season in 2021.
"This increase in demand demonstrates the public's concern over the wildland interface fires," he told a city council committee, Sept. 8.
READ MORE: Logan Lake has written the Fire Smart playbook for other cities, towns to follow
The 95 fire smart inspections from April to the end of June this year is a 9,500 per cent increase over 2021.
A fire smart assessment includes evaluating the risk of landscaping, structures and anything else combustible around a property. The homeowner can then choose what they want to do after firefighters assess their risk.
A wildfire near the Juniper neighbourhood sparked on July 1, 2021, striking fear in residents. The wildfire within city limits was one of the first of a long and destructive season.
Uzeloc added that the department offered two fire smart presentations to the public this year, and one in Juniper had roughly 200 people attend.
READ MORE: Kelowna mayoral candidate challenges city Facebook ads featuring Basran
In the first three months of 2022, Kamloops Fire Rescue did two fire smart assessments, but that jumped by April as warmer weather set in.
The 95 inspections so far this year is also well above 2020, when Kamloops Fire Rescue did 16 inspections from April to the end of June.
READ MORE: Kamloops cops get more proactive with repeat offenders
To contact a reporter for this story, email Levi Landry or call 250-819-3723 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2022