B.C. program provides money to protect communities from fires

WHISTLER — Local governments and First Nations across B.C. at risk from wildfires can now apply for provincial money to conduct fire prevention activities on land around their communities.

The Community Resiliency Investment Program will give up to $50 million over three years to local governments and First Nations. Up to $10 million will be available in the 2018-19 fiscal year, with $20 million for each of the next two years.

The details of the program were released on Monday at the Union of B.C. Municipalities conference.

“Forest fires are going to continue to be part of the landscape,” said Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development Doug Donaldson. “The aggressive nature and the large nature is something that’s been predicted and is now here, so what we have to do is bolster our preventative and mitigative measures.”

The new program replaces the Strategic Wildfire Prevention Initiative, which had provided $81 million over 14 years. Donaldson said the new program significantly accelerates the funding for communities.

Communities will now be able to apply for funding to cover up to 100 per cent of wildfire risk reduction projects; the old program could only cover 90 per cent. Donaldson said the funding gap made it difficult to carry out the required mitigation.

Applications for the program will close on Dec. 7.