By Sebastian Kanally, Times Chronicle

Underscoring the importance of farmers and ranchers to the regional economy and food supply, a free forum to help prepare for the upcoming wildfire season is being put on by the Regional District of the Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS).

The RDOS FireSmart team is encouraging people with small to large farms to register for the Agriculture Wildfire Preparedness Forum to be held on Thursday April 13, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.. The forum will be held at RockRidge Canyon Resort & Conference Centre, at 2000 Willies Ranch Road in Princeton. 

The forum will showcase presentations by BC Wildfire Service, the RDOS FireSmart team, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, and others. 

“Some participants have already been through wildfires or evacuations, and with these discussions, we can learn from the past and be better prepared for future wildfires,” Hayden Zahrawi, RDOS Wildfire Mitigation Specialist said about some of the people attending. 

The forum is intended for people to discuss wildfire concerns and learn how to protect their farm from wildfires and create a wildfire plan. 

This really is a place where “we can collaborate and share experiences that will help farmers and ranchers plan for any potential emergency,” Zahrawi commented. “Farms and ranches are vital to the local economy and food supply, and are often located in high-risk locations backing onto the wildfire interface.”

Farmers and ranchers should register by April 6, 2023 to reserve their spot. People can register either by filling out a registration form on the RDOS website in the News and Events page, or by emailing [email protected].

For further information people are urged to visit firesmart.rdos.bc.ca or contact Hayden Zahrawi at 250-490-4233.