The Town of Oliver is applying for grant money to establish a Community Wildfire Protection Plan in the wake of this summer’s Wilson Mountain (above) and Testalinden Creek fires. The Town is also going after a FireSmart grant to help residents reduce the risk on their own properties.
Lyonel Doherty photo
After the impacts of this summer’s wildfires, the Town of Oliver is applying for grant money to establish a Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
Council recently directed staff to go for the grant that can be used to update and create new maps and data, and develop a communications strategy.
Corporate Officer Diane Vaykovich said the program can contribute 50 per cent of the costs to a maximum of $15,000. The remaining 50 per cent must come from community contributions.
Vaykovich said the Town will contribute $7,500, utilizing funds from the Oliver Fire Department Service and Equipment Review.
These funds would be replaced in the 2016 budget.
FireSmart
Town council is also applying for a FireSmart grant (up to $10,000) to develop local plans to mitigate risk from wildfire on private lands. The funding will support residents to undertake FireSmart activities on their properties. Activities include reducing combustible materials near their homes.
FireSmart planning can also include establishing a board of directors, conducting site visits and assessments, organizing a FireSmart day, developing a communications strategy, presenting a plan to local government, and amending bylaws and official community plans.
Vaykovich said the recent Wilson Mountain and Testalinden Creek wildfires were significant events for the Town of Oliver and the regional district. Therefore, she sees these grant programs as very beneficial.
To date, minimal wildfire risk mitigation has occurred within and adjacent to the town, she pointed out.
Using the output of the mapping products, complete threat assessments for the Town interface areas will be prepared, she noted.
Vaykovich said the Town will start preparation for a wildfire round-up community meeting with residents to address the past summer’s activities.
“It will provide them with what they can expect to occur on the Testalinden fire this winter (rehabilitation work), and will describe the funding programs Oliver is trying to access.”
