Community Wildfire Prevention Plan

The Village of Pemberton was one of the first communities in British Columbia to receive funding from the Provincial Government for community fire protection work.  We are proud to be a part of this project and are striving to be a leader in this movement towards protecting homes and valuables from wildfire.  It is our goal to continue to move in the direction of becoming a FireSmart community in order to protect valley residents and to provide a safe environment in which to live.

PROJECT NOTICES

Update - April 24, 2009 - Crews from the Ministry of Forests and Range wildfire management branch will be continuing Fuel Management work that began last fall on the hillside upslope and parallel to the railway line behind Creekside Townhomes, extending from Pemberton Creek south to the power lines.

Crews will be working periodically throughout the month of May, Mondays through Fridays, 8:30 am to 6:30 pm.  Work will consist of undertaking fuel hazard reduction treatments (thinning and pruning) of the understory (smaller trees).  Materials will be piled and burned on site or removed from the site if access permits.

Please note that temporary trail closures may be necessary  while crews are active;  please obey all posted signage

BACKGROUND - COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PREVENTION PLAN

The growing problem of Mountain Pine Beetle infestation, historical forest practices, and fire suppression management has contributed to excess fuels in the forests surrounding Pemberton.  To address this issue, the Village of Pemberton completed a Community Wildfire Prevention Plan (CWPP) in the summer of 2005.

This plan was funded through a grant from the Union of BC Municipalities.
Under the direction of John Davies, of Davies Wildfire Management Inc., the plan analyzed and located specific areas within and adjacent to the Village that are at risk of a wildfire. As well, recommendations were outlined for amendments to bylaws, growth strategies and development permits with the intent of moving Pemberton towards being a FireSmart community.

Several areas in the Village of Pemberton were identified as being at risk of a wildfire.  Those residents who's homes were deemed to be in wildfire risk areas were invited to a public information meeting held on August 25, 2005.  The implementation of the CWPP should reduce the risk of the loss of homes in the event of a wildfire in the valley.

NEXT STEPS - FUEL MANAGEMENT PILOT PROJECT

The Pemberton Community Wildfire Protection Plan recommended that a Fuel Management Pilot Project be undertaken as the next step in protecting the community from the threat of a wildfire.  A Pilot Project is a small project that showcases fuel management treatments and how they can be used to reduce the wildfire risk to a community.

Two PIlot Projects have been approved by Council, for which the Village has received funding from the Union of BC Municipalities and the Ministry of Forests and Range Protection Branch.  The first site is a small area between the Public Works Yard, Fernwood Crescent and Pemberton Creek.  The second site is upslope and parallel to the railway line behind Creekside Townhomes and extends from Pemberton Creek south to the power lines.

Work began in October of 2007 and is continuing in June 2008, and consists of undertaking fuel hazard reduction treatments (thinning and pruning) of the understory (smaller trees).  Materials will be piled and burned at a later date or removed from the site if access permits.

RESOURCES

Provincial Emergency Program Wildfire Info

Last Updated on Thursday, August 26, 2010