BC Wildfire crews conducting a controlled burn in the area of the McDougall Creek Wildfire in September 2023.
Image Credit: Submitted/BC Wildfire Service
March 09, 2024 - 3:30 PM
West Kelowna city council is set to apply for a $300,000 grant to support its FireSmart activities and wildfire mitigation in 2024.
After last year’s record breaking fires, which devastated West Kelowna communities, the city is looking for funding to support this year’s mitigation work.
In a report to city council, city staff propose a departure from “complex prescription and treatment works.” Instead, they suggest that funding goes towards hiring a FireSmart specialists and public educational activities.
From the $300,000 grant, $121,697 will be put towards hiring a FireSmart Coordinator and and another $100,000 will go towards a FireSmart Specialist. Additionally, $4,000 will go towards a ‘FireSmart Family Day’.
READ MORE: 'Scary as hell': West Kelowna couple lose home and ranch to McDougall Creek wildfire
In 2023, two FireSmart labourers were employed by city from May to August. This initiative was deemed highly successful by the city.
The two labourers cleared, limbed, trimmed, raked, pruned and raised forest canopies on 22 different city-owned properties including parks, road right of ways and more than one hectare of forest on the northeast side of Mt. Boucherie.
Local government has limited authority when it comes to mitigation on private land. To remedy this, the city wants to focus on public education and awareness of FireSmart principles.
The city also proposes to lead a partnership with Vernon, Lake Country, Kelowna, Central Okanagan regional district, Peachland, Summerland and Penticton for a FireSmart Media Campaign and a shared FireSmart “Ember” mascot costume.
READ MORE: 'WE COULDN'T GET AWAY': West Kelowna family fled three times in one night as fires spread
The report does not make much mention of First Nation prescribed burning or land stewardship, and it's not clear how these tools will be incorporated into future wildfire mitigation plans.
“We will ensure continued support for Westbank First Nation and activities in the community forest surrounding the community,” the report read.
READ MORE: Westbank First Nation wants to return to prescribed burning
West Kelowna is seeking approval to apply for the grant under the 2024 Community Resiliency Investment Program.
For the past five years, the province has provided support funding through this program.
Last year, the grant program was updated in response to advocacy from West Kelowna and other communities.
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