Residents of the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) will be able to learn about wildfire resiliency planning at a series of open houses this month.

TNRD spokesperson Colton Davies says they’ve hired Forsite Consultants to develop a Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan (CWRP) for each of its 10 Electoral Areas.

“There’s been a lot of work by Forsite to get to this point of gathering information about FireSmart needs in communities where the risk of wildfire lies significantly, and in parts of our rural areas,” Davies said.

“And now, we’re at the stage of building these community wildfire plans where they are bringing this information to open houses.”

At these open houses, residents will also be able to learn about the risk of wildfire to their homes and property.

Davies says TNRD residents will be able to drop into these open houses as they please, and ask questions. They can also send in questions in by email here.

“There has been staff on the ground from Forsite as these plans have been built,” he added.

“We know, residents know, their properties and their backyards and so definitely we want residents to come out to these open houses and share their insights on FireSmart and wildfire risks and what they see as needs in their communities.”

Each open house take place between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. with a presentation scheduled for 6:30 p.m.  each night. The schedule is as follows:

• October 10, 2023: Savona Community Hall (Electoral Area “J”)
• October 11, 2023: Blue River Community Hall (Electoral Area “B”)
• October 12, 2023: Dutch Lake Community Centre (Electoral Area “A”)
• October 16, 2023: Heffley Creek Community Hall (Electoral Area “P”)
• October 17, 2023: Little Fort Community Hall (Electoral Area “O”)
• October 18, 2023: 70 Mile Community Hall (Electoral Area “E”)
• October 24, 2023: Lower Nicola Community Hall (Electoral Area “M” & “N”)
• October 25, 2023: Ashcroft Hub (Electoral Area “I”)
• October 30, 2023: Pritchard Community Hall (Electoral Area “L”)

“CWRPs will guide wildfire risk reduction work within each TNRD Electoral Area and support the seven disciplines of FireSmart to help communities address the threat of wildfire: education, emergency planning, vegetation management, legislation, development, interagency cooperation, and cross-training,” Davies added.

“Further, CWRPs are required prior to applying to many grant funding opportunities related to FireSmart activities.”

These plans are expected to be completed by the end of this year.