Surprised and devastated. That was West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund’s initial reaction to hearing about changes to the FireSmart program due to a lack of funding. The FireSmart Community Funding and Supports (FCFS) program closed its intake application on Jan. 30, according to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM). “To hear that the funding is abruptly not being replenished is really concerning for us,” said Brolund. “We know our community is no stranger to wildfire. We know the devastating effects that it can have.” The FireSmart Program is a provincially-funded initiative to increase the awareness of community-based planning and acitivies to reduce the risk of wildfire. …In lieu of this, UBCM president Cori Ramsey is asking for B.C. Premier David Eby to make renewing the FireSmart funding a priority while encouraging local governments and First Nations to write about the benefits they’ve gained from the program.