Whereas very little has been done to actually protect rural communities from the threat of wildfires since the 2003 Filmon Firestorm Report; And whereas the threat of year-over-year catastrophic wildfires is increasing, putting communities at greater risk; And whereas the fundamental weakness in the current approach to protecting interface communities from wildfire risk is the downloading of the responsibility for managing and treating Crown forest land to local government: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM requests the provincial government to enable the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development to become the lead agency for developing Community Wildfire Protection Plans, fuel management prescriptions for the Wildland Urban Interface WUI, and fuel management treatments in collaboration with local government; And be it further resolved that the Province provide sufficient funding to the Forest Enhancement Society to fully fund WUI fuel management treatments so they can be undertaken expeditiously.
Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development The B.C. FireSmart Committee is leading a review of the Community Wildfire Protection Plan process, including how a plan is developed and implemented, and how it can complement existing land use and community plans. BC Wildfire Service staff will continue to work with the First Nations Emergency Services Society of B.C. and local authorities to develop a more collaborative approach to wildfire risk reduction activities. The Community Resiliency Investment CRI programwas introduced by the Province in September 2018. It is intended to reduce wildfire risks and wildfire impacts in communities by providing funding and support to complete FireSmart initiatives, including priority fuel management activities on provincial Crown land and on private land. The program aligns with Forest Enhancement Society of B.C. funding opportunities. In 2018, the Forest Enhancement Society of B.C. awarded 134 million for 71 projects that helped support communities, reduce wildfire risks, protect wildlife and address the effects of climate change. This work helps restore damaged forests and ecosystems, and it supports workers and communities that rely on forestry.