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City to receive $81K to mitigate wildfire risk

The funding was announced by CBT on Monday
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Cindy Pearce, Community Wildfire Protection Contractor, and Dwayne Voykin, the City’s Emergency Program Coordinator, are helping the City of Revelstoke undertake several steps to reduce the threat of wildfire, with support from a wildfire mitigation grant from Columbia Basin Trust. (Submitted)

The City of Revelstoke is slated to receive $81K, Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) announced Monday.

According to CBT, the City will use the money to take a multi-layered approach to educating the public about how to mitigate wildfire risk.

Dwayne Voykin, the Emergency Program Coordinator at the Revelstoke Fire Rescue Service, said the focus of the project will be on giving developers clear requirements for new buildings and helping owners of private property reduce the risk of wildfire damage.

“Since 2006, the City has had wildfire protection activities under way, which particularly target municipal properties and community infrastructure,” said Voykin.

“The focus is now on continuing to educate the community about local wildfire risks, especially from human ignitions, helping private property owners reduce their risks of wildfire damage and giving developers clear requirements for new builds.”

The City will also, according to CBT, use the funding to help residents assess their properties and suggest debris removal methods, as well as establish clear guidelines for developers building in areas adjacent to wildlands.

The funding comes following the worst wildfire season on record in the province’s history.

More than 1.2 million hectares burned across B.C. last summer, costing the province more than $564 million.

Over 65,000 residents were displaced from their homes.

@Jnsherman
jake.sherman@revelstokereview.com

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