Funds to reduce fire risk

North Okanagan communities will be getting a share of provincial grants to support wildfire risk reduction projects.

The province is providing just over a million dollars ($1,059,199) in Community Resiliency Grants to 11 communities and First Nations in the Kamloops Fire Centre.

The Regional District of North Okanagan will receive $100,000 to assist with education, and fuel and vegetation management.

The City of Vernon will get $58,200 for similar programs.

“The last two summers have shown the need for better preparation in advance of wildfire seasons,” said Doug Donaldson, minister of forests, lands, natural resource operations and rural development. “To help keep people and communities as safe as possible, it’s more important than ever that we invest in programs that reduce the risk.”

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The Union of B.C. Municipalities administers the program and processes grant applications.

Eligible applicants facing a lower wildfire risk can apply for up to $25,000, while applicants facing a demonstrated higher wildfire risk can now apply for up to $150,000.

Other local communities getting grants include the Regional District of Central Okanagan: $30,000 to assist with planning; the City of West Kelowna: $100,000 for fuel and vegetation management; the District of Sicamous: $99,540 to assist with education, planning and fuel and vegetation management; the Adams Lake Indian Band: $20,820 for fuel and vegetation management; and the Little Shuswap Lake Indian Band: $199,927 for education, planning and fuel and vegetation management.