With money beginning to run out, B.C is looking to stretch its community FireSmart fund as far as it can.
As of Feb. 2, the province is temporarily altering the types of things communities can use FireSmart Community and Funding Supports money for and is creating a closed intake process.
Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) leaders now want to ensure the province also plans to put more money toward the program in its upcoming budget.
“I would really like this to have a sustainable funding source,” UBCM President Cori Ramsay told Black Press Media.
The program has provided roughly $175 million for community FireSmart efforts since 2018. Communities have been able to use the money for education campaigns, coordinator positions, fuel management and wildfire recovery efforts.
Since its inception, more than 180 local communities have utilized the funds. Many have come to rely on the money, Ramsay said.
With just $25 million remaining in the fund, the program is being scaled back to exclude fuel management and recovery efforts from the last $25 million because these types of projects have high costs that vary widely throughout the province.
And instead of an open intake, communities will need to apply through a process adjudicated on merit and priority.
UBCM expects all of this money will be committed to projects following the April 30 intake deadline
Forests Minister Ravi Parmar says the ministry made the final decision to limit the program. Ramsay says UBCM and the First Nations’ Emergency Services Society also had input, as they jointly administer the fund.
“We really want to make sure the funds are distributed as equitably as possible,” Ramsay said.
But Ramsay also wrote a public letter to Premier David Eby on Monday (Jan. 26), urging him to ensure the province tops up this funding in its next budget, which is due to be revealed on Feb. 17.
Parmar would not reveal if more money for the program is in the upcoming budget, but did highlight the importance of these and other wildfire mitigation programs.
“Government is not backing away from recognizing how important these investments are,” he said.
Parmar could not yet say if these changes would be made permanent, or if the fund would be split into two, one for fuel management and recovery and one for core FireSmart activities.
“It’s a bit early to make that judgment yet,” he said. “I’m certainly looking forward to my team going out, doing some engagement and really getting an assessment on where things are at.”