COMMUNITY WILDFIRE RESILIENCY PLAN CONSULTATION What is a CWRP? The Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan (CWRP) is the primary wildfire risk reduction plan for communities in British Columbia. The City of West Kelowna’s 2024 CWRP builds on the recommendations of the 2018 Community Wildfire Preparedness Plan (CWPP), further strengthening our neighborhoods against future wildfire threats.
Why it matters? Assessment of community needs: The CWRP evaluates current wildfire risks and identifies community needs. Access to funding: The CWRP enables communities to obtain funding for wildfire risk reduction initiatives. Regular updates: The CWRP will be reviewed and updated every five years to ensure continued effectiveness. The CWRP will help the City and West Kelowna Fire Rescue develop achievable and strategic action items to enhance community wildfire resiliency, while prioritizing wildfire risk management in the wildland-urban interface, where homes and buildings intersect with forested areas.
Action items found within the CWRP • Enhancing existing community education and engagement programs • Identifying new training and collaboration opportunities • Improving wildland fire suppression planning, tools, and resources • Collaborating with Westbank First Nation, Community Forests, and the Regional District of Central Okanagan for strategic fuel treatments • Identifying areas requiring fuel treatment within community jurisdiction and adjacent Crown lands
Fuel Treatment Objectives • Reduce fire intensity: Enhance the resiliency of forested ecosystems • Improve suppression efforts: Increase the effectiveness of wildfire suppression • Lower wildfire risks: Minimize wildfire threats to homes and critical infrastructure
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Key FireSmart Disciplines The plan incorporates the following seven essential FireSmart Disciplines: 1. Cross Training 2. Development 3. Education 4. Emergency Planning 5. Interagency Cooperation 6. Legislation 7. Vegetation Management What is FireSmart? The FireSmart program in BC is directed by the BC FireSmart Committee (BCFSC), a group composed of multiple agencies. The goal of the BCFSC is to collaboratively maintain and improve the delivery of the FireSmart BC program to better support wildfire preparedness, prevention, and mitigation in BC.
Fuel Treatment Methods Fuel treatment is achieved through modification of forest fuels: • Thinning or removing ladder fuels (branches, small trees, shrubs, etc.) • Spacing of trees • Managing surface fuels
COMMUNITY WILDFIRE RESILIENCY PLAN CONSULTATION OCT. 23 - NOV. 4, 2024