CRANBROOK - The Kootenay Wildfire Protection Program has received $5 million in funding to reduce the risk of wildfires across the Kootenays.
“The Program is a partnership of the Regional Districts of Central Kootenay, Kootenay Boundary and East Kootenay and is aimed at protecting and safeguarding communities from the risk of wildfire,” explains Regional District of Central Kootenay Chair, Gary Wright “We are grateful to both the Provincial and Federal Governments for supporting our efforts with this funding. It will allow us to make a significant contribution to the safety of our communities by treating high priority interface areas.”
The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary will manage the project on behalf of the three Regional Districts and RDKB Chair Marguerite Rotvold says the program will also have a positive economic impact. “The Kootenays have been heavily impacted by the downturn in the forest sector. One of the key components of this Program will be thinning, pruning and brush removal in specified areas and we will be employing displaced forest workers to complete the work. Providing an opportunity for local people to get back to work through this fuel mitigation program is certainly a huge positive.”
The Kootenay Wildfire Protection Program funds will be directed towards communities in the region with approved wildfire protection plans and aside from the fuel reduction activities, will provide fireguards in strategic areas.
“This project is a major undertaking and an excellent example of how local governments can work in partnership to achieve positive outcomes,” says Regional District of East Kootenay Chair, Norm Walter.
“We look forward to making this project a success and using this partnership model on future projects to continue to move the entire Kootenay region forward.”
The Kootenay Wildfire Protection Program is the second tri-Regional District partnership undertaken by the three Regional Districts. The first, Carbon Neutral Kootenays, recently received an award at the Union of BC Municipalities convention for excellence in leadership and innovation.
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