By Times Chronicle Staff
Don’t put off tomorrow what you can do today to save your community from wildfire.
That’s the message from the regional district as the number of its FireSmart committees has reached 19.
You can make it 20.
The committees include dozens of volunteers working to protect their communities from the risk of wildfire.
“The RDOS FireSmart team would like to thank all the volunteers for their dedication and time in helping to make the RDOS a safer place to live,” said Kerry Riess, RDOS FireSmart coordinator. She noted that FireSmart volunteers are helping spread the word throughout their communities about the importance of protecting their properties. These volunteers are also working with the RDOS FireSmart team to organize and host educational events as well as chipping and cleanup activities that are making a real difference.
Right now the RDOS is looking for community champions.
“The RDOS FireSmart team is always looking for more volunteers to form committees,” said regional chair Mark Pendergraft.
“The hardest part is getting started. It means pulling together a few people to create a committee and then working with the RDOS FireSmart team to help spread the word.”
The benefits of organizing a FireSmart committee
include:
Access to free home assessments
Food costs covered for up to $500 for FireSmart community events
Access to RDOS-sponsored chipping and yard cleanups and bins
Upcoming events include a Kilpoola FireSmart chipping event on Sunday, Oct. 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m, and a postbox site on Richter Pass. Further details are available at firesmart.rdos.bc.ca.
