West Kelowna wants more money from province for wildfire prevention

WEST KELOWNA – The District of West Kelowna says it needs more money from the province for fuel mitigation projects to help prevent wildfires. Mayor Doug Findlater says the province spent $300 million fighting wildfires in the province last year, which was the third highest fire season in terms of hectares of land in the province’s history.

“We think the province needs to step up to the plate and do a much more aggressive wildfire mitigation program,” says Findlater.

Findlater says the way to do that is through fuel modification.

“They basically remove the fuel on the ground and the lower branches of the trees and when a fire hits in that area it pretty much slows it down,” says Findlater.

This week, West Kelowna council agreed to submit a resolution asking the province to establish, fund and conduct a province-wide wildfire proofing program on both public and private lands. However, the province says its focus isn’t on prevention, it’s on emergency response.

“West Kelowna was not negatively impacted in terms of structures and homes last year and that’s that focus of our branch, is to continue to make sure that we are ready for the season coming up,” says Minister of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson.

Assistant fire chief with West Kelowna Fire Rescue, Darren Lee, says more money is needed for wildfire prevention through fuel modification; however, he says it’s also a job everyone needs to take on.

“People should make sure they do a thorough yard clean up in the spring, get rid of the pine needles, ensure you don’t have vegetation touching up against your house or fences,” says Lee.

Findlater says the district hasn’t put a figure on how much money they are asking for from the province but given how much was spent last year on emergency response, he’s confident they should be able to find enough for fire prevention.

However, Minister Thomson says it’s too early to say how much or whether any money will be provided for increased fire prevention efforts anywhere in the province.

The District of West Kelowna’s resolution will be submitted to the Southern Interior Local Government Association for consideration at its annual general meeting in late April.