Nelson and Area Wildfire Risk Reduction Open House
By Contributor
The Nelson and Area Wildfire Risk Reduction Open House was held Thursday, September 22nd at the Prestige Lakeside Resort in Nelson.
The free event was coordinated by the Nelson & Area Wildfire Risk Reduction Committee, comprised of BC Parks, the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK), Ministry of Forests and Nelson Fire & Rescue Services.
Residents who attended were welcomed by staff from multiple organizations and engaged in conversations around the current wildfire threat to our communities, reduction activities that are underway, what FireSmart is and what residents can do to reduce the risk of wildfire on their own properties.
The interface areas surrounding Nelson are a unique mix of lands ownership including private, Crown, Municipal, BC Parks and RDCK lands. This requires interagency collaboration to reduce potential wildfire intensity and create defendable spaces around our communities.
The Nelson and Area Wildfire Risk Reduction Committee is committed to reducing the impact of wildfire by working closely on wildfire mitigation projects, sharing information and resources, and keeping our residents informed.
The Committee is working together with BC FireSmart, local homeowners, agencies and land managers to help keep our communities safe.
“Working together on protecting our communities just makes sense, wildfire does not respect borders and regional boundaries,” said Nelson Fire Chief Jeff Hebert when asked why it is important to take part in committees
“Wildfire risk reduction is most impactful when all involved are working towards a common goal, the private homeowner alongside municipal, regional and provincial governments. And if we work as a team, together we can reduce the risk of wildfire in our communities.”
Visit our website for more information about what is being done to reduce the risk of wildfire in your area, and what you and your community can do to help. To book a FireSmart Home Assessment in Nelson call: 250-352-8116 and in the RDCK call: 250-352-1539.
Learn more at www.rdck.ca/wildfireriskreduction .
Photo Caption: The Nelson and Area Wildfire Risk Reduction Committee, consisting of staff from multiple organizations, engaged in conversations around the current wildfire threat to Nelson and the surrounding communities. — Submitted
