B.C. wildfire service to increase prevention work from backyards to forests: official

The director of provincial operations for British Columbia’s wildfire service says the province needs a “holistic,” large-scale program to reduce wildfire risk, starting in backyards, moving to communities then extending to forested lands.

Cliff Chapman says planning is underway to decide how new funding will be used to increase the service’s capacity, while it partners with the forest industry, B.C. Cattlemen’s Association, First Nations, communities and other stakeholders.

B.C.’s budget released last month allocated $145 million over three years for Emergency Management BC and the BC Wildfire Service to kick-start the province’s transition to a more “proactive approach” to wildfire preparedness and response.

The funding will be used to help the wildfire service increase its permanent, year-round staffing, allowing it to focus on every aspect of emergency management for wildfires, including prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.

The government allocated another $98 million for prevention work and maintenance on forestry roads, while $26 million is earmarked to upgrade the wildfire service’s facilities.

Chapman told a news conference the service is currently assessing how many seasonal staff are interested in becoming permanent and he expects there will be good uptake as crews are proud of the work they do to protect communities.