STIKINE– Stikine MLA Nathan Cullen is welcoming grants for wildfire protection and mitigation to protect people and critical infrastructure near community forests.

“Wildfires pose a significant risk to our communities each year,” said Nathan Cullen, MLA for Stikine. “This investment will not only help keep people safe from wildfires but will also support the creation of local job opportunities.”

These local projects are part of the approximately $5 million announced by the province to 15 holders of Community Forest Agreements around B.C. to fund 44 Crown Land Wildfire Risk Reduction projects. The CLWRR funding stream is part of the Community Resiliency Investment program administered by the BC Wildfire Service. It supports wildfire risk reduction treatments on provincial Crown land near communities, around critical infrastructure, and in areas facing a higher wildfire risk.

Community Forest Agreement holders are important partners in managing forested land near communities in the Kootenays. They play a key role in fuel management treatments, advocate for their communities, and provide expertise and local knowledge to successfully implement fuel management projects.

In Stikine, the following service provider is receiving support:

• Wetzin’Kwa Community Forest Corporation: $663,000

StrongerBC: BC’s Economic Recovery Plan provides employment and economic opportunities to support a wide range of projects throughout the province. The Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development is responsible for economic recovery programs worth more than $100 million. This investment in wildfire risk reduction in community forests is one component of that overall recovery strategy.

Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021FLNRO0021-000589