POWELL RIVER- New Democrat MLA for Powell River-Sunshine Coast Nicholas Simons is welcoming $67,700 to assist the qathet Regional District with FireSmart programming and wildfire preparation.

“FireSmart Programming helps empower people and strengthen communities,” said MLA Simons. “This funding will promote wildfire preparedness in the qathet Regional District through training, education, and cooperation.”

The funding going to the qathet Regional District will support FireSmart education and demonstrations, FireSmart activities for private land, and inter-agency cooperation and cross-training.

The qathet Regional District is one of almost 90 local governments and First Nations throughout BC 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 invested 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