Kamloops Fire Centre given $1M for wildfire reduction projects

The provincial government has announced another $1.06 million in grants for the Kamloops Fire Centre to help with wildfire risk reduction projects.

The cash is going to 11 local governments and First Nations authorities through the Community Resiliency Investment program.

It comes in addition to the more than $6 million given to 85 local governments in May 2019.

So far, more than $9.8 million has been allocated through the Community Resiliency Investment program.

"The last two summers have shown the need for better preparation in advance of wildfire seasons," said Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development Doug Donaldson.

"To help keep people and communities as safe as possible, it's more important than ever that we invest in programs that reduce the risk."

Recipients of the cash include:

• Regional District of Central Okanagan: $30,000 to assist with planning

• Regional District of North Okanagan: $100,000 to assist with education and fuel and vegetation management

• District of Logan Lake: $152,712 to assist with fuel and vegetation management

• City of Vernon: $58,200 to assist with fuel and vegetation management

• City of West Kelowna: $100,000 to assist with fuel and vegetation management

• District of Sicamous: $99,540 to assist with education, planning and fuel and vegetation management

• Lower Similkameen Indian Band: $100,000 to assist with planning, fuel and vegetation management, and FireSmart activities for private land

• Whispering Pines/Clinton Indian Band: $98,000 to assist with education, planning, emergency planning, cross-training and fuel and vegetation management

• Adams Lake Indian Band: $20,820 to assist with fuel and vegetation management

• Little Shuswap Lake Indian Band: $199,927 to assist with education, planning and fuel and vegetation management

• Simpcw First Nation: $100,000 to assist with education and fuel and vegetation management