Fuel clean-up stock photo courtesy of the Community Forest Association

By Liam Verster

North Aberdeen Plateau

Wildfire prevention project planned for North Okanagan watershed

May 6, 2024 | 2:00 PM

The provincial and local governments are working to reduce the risk of wildfires and protect the primary water supply in Greater Vernon.

The Ministry of Forests, in collaboration with the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO), District of Lake Country, and Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) have partnered on a fire-mitigation project in the North Aberdeen Plateau area to protect water, infrastructure, and cultural heritage values.

“Many people in the Okanagan depend on the North Aberdeen Plateau for their drinking water,” Bruce Ralston, Minister of Forests, said.

“We know that the risk of a wildfire in the area could have very real impacts on the water people depend on, which is why we are taking action to protect this resource now and for future generations. Local partners have put in significant work to get us to this point and our government is proud to support getting this important project underway immediately.”

The province is providing $15-million for the multi-year, multi-phase North Aberdeen Plateau fuel-break project, which starts immediately. The first phase of the work will see flammable woody material removed, stands pruned or thinned, and dead or fallen debris removed from the area, located south east of Vernon.

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“As a community that has been recently and historically affected by wildfires, we are intimately aware of the need for more wildfire-mitigation procedures being implemented,” OKIB Chief Byron Louis stated.

“While we would like to see more focus on culturally appropriate Syilx wildfire-mitigation practices, we’re happy to collaborate with our project partners to take positive steps toward protecting our land and water. It can’t be understated how important water is as a resource.”

The North Aberdeen Plateau is the primary water source for the Greater Vernon Water Utility, which provides domestic and agricultural water to roughly 71,000 people in Vernon and Coldstream, and is also the water source for the 18,000 people and agricultural producers in Lake Country.

“Provincial funding will help with wildfire mitigation through fuel reduction and facilitate the development of a long-term plan, involving tenure and title holders, to protect the shared watershed and cultural values,” Victor Cumming, Mayor of Vernon, stated.

“We look forward to collaboratively working with our friends and partners in the Okanagan Indian Band and the Regional District of the North Okanagan to protect the cultural heritage values, water supply and water infrastructure that are important to our communities,” Blair Ireland, Mayor of Lake Country, added.

The fuel-break project in the North Aberdeen Plateau was a recommendation from the Premier’s expert task force on emergencies.