The FireSmart BC program is directed by the BC FireSmart Committee (BCFSC), collaborating to maintain and improve the delivery of the FireSmart BC program to better support wildfire preparedness, prevention and mitigation in BC. The Community Resiliency Investment (CRI) program was introduced by the provincial government in September 2018 and is intended to reduce the risk of wildfires and mitigate their impacts on BC communities.

Through the CRI, communities are provided funding and support to complete FireSmart™ initiatives, including priority fuel management activities, on provincial Crown land and on private land. There are two program streams: FireSmart Community Funding and Supports (FCFS), and Crown Land Wildfire Risk Reduction (WRR).

FireSmart Community Funding and Supports (FCFS)

Administered through the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) with an initial investment of $60M, this program is available to local authorities, including First Nations, to deliver FireSmart™ activities as supported by the BC FireSmart Committee.

Crown Land Wildfire Risk Reduction (CLWRR)

The CLWRR program is administered through the Ministry of Forests in collaboration with the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), Natural Resource Regions and Districts, BC Parks, and Mountain Resorts Branch. Highlights of the program include:

• Fuel management planning and treatments, focusing on provincial Crown land around higher risk communities.
• Cultural and Prescribed Fire and the development of a comprehensive prescribed fire program.
• Wildfire Risk reduction activities targeting critical infrastructure, such as government owned radio repeaters, weather stations and airtanker bases.

In the first three years, over $36M was invested in projects on provincial Crown land.

For more information on FireSmart™ BC, please visit: firesmartbc.ca.