North Cowichan can begin conducting fuel hazard reduction treatments on Mount Tzouhalem after receiving a $143,000 grant from the Community Resiliency Investment FireSmart Community and Support Program.
The fuel hazard reduction treatments, which are ‘prescriptions’ that set objectives and strategies to reduce the wildfire risk on forested areas adjacent to homes or other important infrastructure, will take place on a portion of the identified area from the Mount Tzouhalem Fuel Management Plan, which was presented to council last year.
The grant funding also includes hiring a communications consultant to assist with the project and FireSmart public education.
“This funding is crucial to carry out the necessary fuel hazard reduction treatments in our forests,” said Mayor Al Siebring.
“Through this important program, we can continue to do this necessary work and make for a safer, more resilient FireSmart community.”
The FireSmart Community Funding & Supports program provides funding to local governments and First Nations in British Columbia to undertake community-based FireSmart planning and activities that reduce the community’s risk from wildfire. A Request for Proposals to complete the work will be issued this spring.
The work is expected to take place over the summer and extend into the fall.