SECHELT– New Democrat MLA for Powell River-Sunshine Coast Nicholas Simons is welcoming a $114,850 grant to the Sunshine Coast Regional District to assist with wildfire planning and prevention.

“Supporting communities in planning for wildfire emergencies is essential,” said MLA Simons. “This funding will help the Sunshine Coast RD plan how to best protect homes and infrastructure from wildfires.”

The Sunshine Coast Regional District is one of almost 90 local governments and First Nations throughout B.C. benefiting from almost $9 million in new provincial government grants to support wildfire risk reduction projects through the Community Resiliency Investment (CRI) program.

The CRI program helps reduce wildfire risks and impacts in BC communities by providing funding and support to complete FireSmart initiatives and fuel management activities. The program is administered by the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM).

Since launching the CRI program in September 2018, the BC New Democrat government has allocated more than $18.6 million to support 209 projects helping local governments and First Nations mitigate wildfire threats around their communities.

Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/21721