Columbia Basin wildfire preparedness funding is reaching the Elk Valley, with $182,400 allocated to Electoral Areas A and B through Columbia Basin Trust and the Province of British Columbia.
The funding supports a specific local initiative: piloting an expanded FireSmart home assessment and rebate program in Electoral Areas A and B to support wildfire resiliency for vulnerable residents.
This investment is part of a broader $3 million regional funding program supporting 23 wildfire risk reduction projects across the Columbia Basin. See the full program here.
“Projects like these help communities stay healthy, act proactively and adapt to the realities of a changing climate,” said Kris Belanger, Senior Manager, Delivery of Benefits, Columbia Basin Trust. “This includes managing fuels, planning how to respond if a wildfire hits, or helping residents understand what they can do to reduce risk around their own properties.”
The program is delivered through the Province of B.C.’s Community Resiliency Investment Program, in partnership with the Ministry of Forests, BC Wildfire Service and Columbia Basin Trust.
“With the 2026 wildfire season on the horizon, it is never too late to take action to reduce fuel loads and help prepare our forests while also protecting watersheds, biodiversity and wildlife,” said Forests Minister Ravi Parmar.
The Area A and B allocation represents a local component of a broader Basin-wide effort focused on wildfire risk reduction, including fuel management, planning, training, and public education.
Across the Columbia Basin, the message is consistent: wildfire preparedness is shifting from reactive response to proactive, community-based action.
Columbia Basin Trust continues to support initiatives that strengthen the region’s social, economic and environmental well-being, with wildfire resiliency now a clear priority.
