Community Wildfire Protection Plans

The Regional District accessed funds from the UBCM to develop a community wildfire protection planning process for selected areas within the regional district. The Community Services Department issued a Community Wildfire Protection Plan RFP, with a closing date of October 12, 2006. The RDCK received 7 proposals, and awarded the contract to B.A. Blackwell & Associates Ltd. in the amount of $53,800.00 plus GST. In kind contributions include project management, organization of public meetings, mapping support, integration of data into existing systems, FireSmart education and action plan support.

B.A. Blackwell & Associates attended a start up meeting with RDCK staff January 2007. Throughout the Spring of 2007 the consultant completed the following - met with rural and municipal fire departments and affected ministries and organizations; pre-field mapping and prioritized fuel polygons, field wildfire hazard assessments and Fire Smart assessments; finalized treatment options and costing; mapping and reporting.

The areas initially selected were based on input from various players and after receiving the initial draft were modified to include other areas within the regional district. The province approved an additional funding in the amount of $17,560. plus GST to cover these other areas.

The purpose of the plans is to quantify and identify fire risk within specific areas of the RDCK and recommend management actions that can be undertaken to minimize the risk. The plan provides the RDCK with a framework that can be used to mitigate areas of identified high fire risk.

The final Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) reports dated February 22, 2008 prepared by B.A. Blackwell & Associates Ltd. for the following areas were received by the RDCK Board at its meeting held March 29, 2008 and staff is directed to review all the plans with affected stakeholders and Directors and report back to the Board with recommendations.

Contract Areas - Creston Contract, Salmo Contract, New Denver/Silverton, Nakusp, Kaslo Contract, Nelson Contract

RDCK Fire Departments - Balfour/Harrop, Beasley, Blewett, Canyon/Lister, Crescent Valley, North Shore, Ootischenia, Pass Creek
Passmore, Riondel, Robson, Slocan, Tarrys, Winlaw, Wynndel/Lakeview
Yahk/Kingsgate, Ymir

Municipalities/Villages - Kaslo, City of Nelson, Nakusp, New Denver
Silverton, Slocan

Unprotected Areas - Crawford Bay, Boswell, Fauquier, Burton, Argenta
Arrow Creek, Lardeau, West Creston, Ainsworth, Cooper Creek, Arrow Park, Kitchener, Edgewood

The information provided in the plans may be used by private organizations and government agencies for mitigation on both private and pbulic lands.

The Communtiy Wildfire Protection Plans have not been endorsed by the Board and are pending review and recommendations by staff.

The above noted Community Wildfire Protection Plans may be viewed on the links to the left.