(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)

The BC government, several municipalities and a First Nation have created a new plan to invest $15 million over several years to ensure the Okanagan’s drinking water is protected from wildfire.

The BC Ministry of Forests, Regional District of North Okanagan, District of Lake Country and the Okanagan Indian Band are working together to protect the North Aberdeen Plateau, according to a press release from the ministry issued Monday. 

The plateau provides water for 89,000 people and farmers in Lake Country, Vernon and Coldstream.

“Many people in the Okanagan depend on the North Aberdeen Plateau for their drinking water,” Minister of Forests Bruce Ralston said in the release. “We know that the risk of a wildfire in the area could have very real impacts on the water people depend on, which is why we are taking action to protect this resource now and for future generations.

"Local partners have put in significant work to get us to this point and our government is proud to support getting this important project underway immediately.”

READ MORE: ‘Fire is medicine’: WFN company utilizes prescribed burns to mitigate wildfire risks

The $15 million investment will be spread out over several years in several phases. The first phase has begun with fire mitigation efforts to remove fire fuels from the surrounding woods to slow or stop the spread of wildfire.

The plan is to expand fire mitigation efforts and continue with a long-term strategy.

“As a community that has been recently and historically affected by wildfires, we are intimately aware of the need for more wildfire-mitigation procedures being implemented,” Okanagan Indian Band Chief Byron Louis said in the release.

“While we would like to see more focus on culturally appropriate Syilx wildfire-mitigation practices, we’re happy to collaborate with our project partners to take positive steps toward protecting our land and water. It can’t be understated how important water is as a resource.”

This plan comes after the premier’s task force released its recommendations in April, emphasizing community partnerships to mitigate fire fuels and protect watersheds.

“Provincial funding will help with wildfire mitigation through fuel reduction and facilitate the development of a long-term plan, involving tenure and title holders, to protect the shared watershed and cultural values," Vernon Mayor Victor Cumming said in the release.

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