“If you could spend $1 million in a community to save $150 million of long-term damage, rebuilding costs and remediation work, would you?” asked Radium Hot Springs Councillor Carey Collin. His answer is an obvious yes.
Investing money up front to reduce risk and damage from wildfires in the future is the core of the FireSmart Community Funding and Supports program, administered by UBCM. Since 2018 the program has funded preventative activities across BC, and is relied on by local governments and First Nations as a reliable source of funding to enable this critical work. The province has contributed nearly $175 million during that time.
Earlier this year funding was changed from an open intake to a closed intake due to dwindling funds in the account. The Province invested an additional $15 million in the spring budget, enabling a larger program intake this year.
UBCM and our members have continued to firmly advocate for a sustainable funding commitment to the program so BC communities can count on getting the help they need to mitigate wildfire risks.
“Do we really want FireSmart being on the corner of somebody's desk?” Collin added. Local governments like Radium Hot Springs know first-hand that the preventative work under FireSmart needs to have dedicated focus in order to be effective.