The province says it is working with local governments and First Nations to protect the primary water source for Lake Country and the Greater Vernon area.
On Monday, the Ministry of Forests said it would be undertaking a “high priority” wildfire mitigation project in collaboration with the Regional District of North Okanagan, District of Lake Country and the Okanagan Indian Band.
Bruce Ralston, Minister of Forests, said those local governments have already put in significant work and a $15 million investment will further protect water sources for those communities.
“Many people in the Okanagan depend on the North Aberdeen Plateau for their drinking water,” said Ralston in a news release.
“We know that the risk of a wildfire in the area could have very real impacts on the water people depend on, which is why we are taking action to protect this resource now and for future generations.”
The funding will go towards a multi-year, multi-phase project to protect the North Aberdeen Plateau with phase 1 beginning immediately, the news release said.
According to the news release, the first phase will include the removal of flammable woody material, thinning or pruning stands, and removing fallen or dead debris in order to slow or stop the spread of wildfire.
The plateau is a water source for 18,000 people and agriculture producers in Lake Country.
“We are pleased to be a partner in the protection of our watersheds, as we recognize and have recently experienced the significant impact that wildfire can have on our community,” said Blair Ireland, mayor, Lake Country.
It is also a water source for the Greater Vernon Water Utility, which provides domestic and agricultural water to approximately 71,000 people in Vernon and Coldstream.
Additionally, it hosts critical resources and cultural heritage values for local First Nations.
“As a community that has been recently and historically affected by wildfires, we are intimately aware of the need for more wildfire-mitigation procedures being implemented,” said Chief Byron Louis, Okanagan Indian Band.
“While we would like to see more focus on culturally appropriate Syilx wildfire-mitigation practices, we’re happy to collaborate with our project partners to take positive steps toward protecting our land and water. It can’t be understated how important water is as a resource.”
Over the past five years, First Nations, local communities and the provincial government have been working on fire mitigation projects in high-risk areas in the Okanagan, which include this large fuel break project.
According to the news release, the project was chosen as the result of this community and partnership-based resilience project that is helping to reduce the risk of wildfire to the natural landscape.
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