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Fruitvale gets funds to be wildfire ready

20 Columbia Basin groups are increasing capacity to prepare for and reduce the chances a wildfire
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Helicopter battles wildfire near Greater Trail. Photo: Jim Bailey

The Village of Fruitvale is ramping up its efforts to reduce chances of wildfire with its Wildfire Readiness Support program.

The village will receive a $75,000 grant to create a fuel management treatment demonstration site on a 4-hectare municipal property, while promoting FireSmart principles to the community.

“The Community Resiliency Program and the Province of BC have partnered with Columbia Basin Trust to invest $2.5 million to help communities and organizations across the Basin prepare for and reduce the chance of wildfire,” said Katrine Conroy, Minister Responsible for Columbia Basin Trust in a release.

Fruitvale has had a series of close calls in recent years, including several lightning caused fires, a suspected arsonist in Marsh Creek in 2020, and a massive wildfire that spread from the U.S. side of the Pend d’Oreille River valley and crested above Fruitvale, driving many Nine Mile residents out of their homes, more than a decade ago.

In all, 20 communities and organizations around the Columbia Basin are increasing their capacity to prepare for and reduce the chances a wildfire will occur, spread and cause damage.

Tailored specifically to the Basin, this program is one aspect of the province’s Community Resiliency Investment Program. Partners include the Province’s Ministry of Forests, BC Wildfire Service and Columbia Basin Trust, which is administering the funding.

“Wildfire-resilient communities are built through partnerships and people working together to protect our forests and surrounding communities,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Forests. “These wildfire risk reduction projects are a valuable part of healthy, sustainable forest management in BC. Thank you to Columbia Basin Trust and the 20 communities and organizations around the Basin that are doing this important work.”

The program supports a range of projects. For example, actions may include hiring a FireSmart coordinator, developing plans to do prescribed burns, carrying out innovative fuel management activities or providing training on how to do FireSmart assessments.

“The best way to fight wildfire is to do the necessary work well in advance, and we thank the Province of BC for continuing to collaborate with us to help projects like these take place,” said Johnny Strilaeff, President and CEO, Columbia Basin Trust. “We also thank the people and groups that are undertaking such vital activities to protect Basin communities as we face the impacts of climate change.”



Jim Bailey

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