Photo Courtesy, Cheslatta Nation

By Veronica Beltran

wildfire preparedness

Cheslatta Carrier Nation prepares for future wildfires with wildfire strategy

Jun 3, 2020 | 12:25 PM

CHESLATTA— The Cheslatta Carrier Nation is creating a strategy to prepare their community incase of wildfires this year, after a devastating year for their community in 2018.

Cheslatta Nation began creating a strategy to prepare their members and neighbours in 2019 for future wildfires. Part of the strategy involved investigating the benefits of placing initial wildfire response equipment in key locations throughout the community.

“We are grateful for Rio Tinto to have generously participated in this community project. Having wildfire response equipment in key areas within our community will provide a small level of comfort for our members and our neighbours. The memories of 2018 are still very present in our minds and the fear of wildfires will be there for many years.”—Corrina Leween, Cheslatta Chief

Rio Tinto, which operates in part of the Cheslatta territory, offered the Nation $98,000 to purchase eight community wildfire equipment trailers, and one industrial trailer.

Instructions on how to use the equipment were explained at a demonstration on Tuesday, June 2 by the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. Cheslatta Council, staff and residents of the area attended the demonstration.

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Cheslatta Chief, Corrina Leween says that if the fires return to their territory, she feels as though the community has what they need to perform an initial wildfire response, and minimize the spread of the fire until the B.C. Wildfire Service can take over.