Project aims to 'fire-smart' central B.C. properties by removing wildfire fuel

A program to helpseniors andresidents with disabilities remove wildfire fuel from their propertieshas been introduced in central B.C.

United Way has partnered with WorkBC and the federal and B.C. provincial governments to offer thefree Fire Mitigation Project in Williams Lake, Ashcroft, Cache Creek, the Quesnelarea and 100 Mile House.

The program, fundedby the Ministry of Social Development & Poverty Reduction, is aimed at seniors and community members who have mobility or mental health barriers, who areunable to remove wildfire fuel themselves.

"We're hoping that it will decrease the likelihood that a wildfire willtake down the home. But it's also to relieve some of the stress," Tamara Sommer, the project's coordinator in Williams Lake, told Daybreak Kamloops host Shelley Joyce.

Removing fuel

Sommer says the Fire Mitigation Project will specifically treat private property, pruning trees and removing needles, leaves and other potential fuel. Residents will also be given recommendations on makingtheir homes more resistant to fires.

"Keep your grass nice and short in the summer and water it if you can ... and take out trees. If yourproperty is heavily saturatedwith trees, space them out,"Sommeradvised.

Sommer says the projectaims to treat 40 homes within each of the four regions. Participants will not work on ranches, businesses or commercial properties.

Creating jobs

The project also aims to create employment through the Job Creation Partnerships project atWorkBC.

"We are providing [unemployed]E.I.-eligible participants 29 weeks of work to do the fire mitigation activities [and] conduct the risk assessments, while helping them improve their job skills and communication, time management planningand other relevant skill sets," says Sommer, who adds that the program will providetraining.

Sommer says the fire mitigation activities will encourage others to "fire-smart"their homes as well, helping them prepare for the next wildfire season.

To apply for cleanup, qualifying residents can contact:

• Steve Dodge in Quesnel at 250-255-4687
• Tamara Sommer in Williams Lake at 778-267-8206
• Brianna Clark in 100 Mile House at250-945-5945
• Karen Nyce in the Ashcroft/Cache Creek/Clinton region 250-279-0672

The project is currently underwayand will end May 3, 2019.

Listen to the full interview here:

With files from Daybreak Kamloops