VANCOUVER — The British Columbia government has released its new strategy to get the province ready to fight extreme weather that sets off heat, wildfires and flooding.
Environment Minister George Heyman says the plan includes enhanced roles for the BC Wildfire Service to prepare and prevent fires.
He highlighted the success of the community of Logan Lake, southwest of Kamloops, in its preparation that helped it avoid being overrun by an aggressive wildfire last August.
Logan Lake Mayor Robin Smith says the community had 18 years to prepare for such a fire, and her advice is that it’s important just to start somewhere and take the first step to protect properties and communities.
Heyman says the province is creating a provincial flood strategy, an extreme heat preparedness plan and is working with First Nations to expand the practice of cultural and prescribed burning.
The government says it will invest more than half a billion dollars over the next three years to ensure the province is prepared to adapt to climate change impacts.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2022.
The Canadian Press
