By Adam Berls

wildfire reform

BC United unveils wildfire policy reform blueprint

Sep 26, 2023 | 1:56 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — BC United has unveiled a blueprint for reforming wildfire preparedness, response and recovery strategies in response to British Columbia’s worst ever wildfire season.

The policy reforms proposed by BC United include:

• Modernized Firefighting Services: Establishing a modern, full-time firefighting service with more front-line personnel, an expanded provincial aircraft fleet, and cutting-edge fire suppression technology to protect homes and infrastructure.
• Leveraging Local Expertise: Deploying local contractors for rapid fire suppression, streamlining their use to enhance B.C.’s response capabilities.
• Empowering Local Response Teams: Equipping and empowering local volunteer fire response teams, including First Nations and community members, with essential supplies and resources.
• Swift Support for Evacuees: Pledging automatic financial support for evacuees during the first 72 hours, alongside efficient aid through streamlined Emergency Social Services for people and communities.
• Forest Management and Prevention: Aggressively overhauling forestry management practices, emphasizing swift responses to fires and reducing wildfire risk through selective harvesting, expedited permits, regulatory changes, and financial incentives.

On September 11, Premier David Eby announced a new task force would be struck to look at lessons learned and best practices around the response to wildfires, drought, heat, floods and other emergencies affecting the province. There was no word on who would be on the panel or when it would be established.

To Your Health

Health Canada now requires warning labels on every cigarette

10m ago

Indigenous affairs

Search for unmarked graves at Lejac Indian Residential School site begins

1h ago

RCMP

National Police Week on until May 18

9h ago

“We just felt that for them (the Provincial Government) to appoint a task force to go and waste another year, frankly, coming back to tell us what we already know and communities already know is just such an egregious lack of leadership that we wanted to put out actually some practical things that we ought to do right now so that we can make sure the next firefighting season, we’re all ready to go.” – Kevin Falcon, Leader of the Opposition, BC United

BC United says that if elected, these wildfire policy reforms would be enacted to protect people, property and hopefully prevent wildfire seasons like the one we have just experienced.

—

Twitter: @AdamBerls

Email: Adam.Berls@pattisonmedia.com