The Town of Sidney has taken a significant step towards enhancing its wildfire preparedness with the recent approval of its first Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan (CWRP).
The plan, developed by the Sidney Fire Department, in collaboration with an environmental planning and wildfire consulting firm, marks a crucial move to safeguard the community from potential wildfire threats.
The year-long development process involved extensive community engagement, including online surveys, a pop-up event and an in-person information session at the Firehall.
Staff also consulted with First Nations, some key stakeholders and neighbouring municipalities.
Professional forester Mike Coulthard of Diamond Head Consulting presented the CWRP to council on May 12, highlighting its key objectives.
"The CWRP examines the wildfire risk in the community and lays out a plan. Most importantly, it allows the community to access additional funding for key action items outlined," Coulthard explained.
The plan identifies high-risk wildfire areas within Sidney, outlines strategies for protecting existing infrastructure and provides recommendations for educating residents on how to "FireSmart" their homes and properties.
Some recommendations deemed high priority are eligible for funding, contingent on the Town updating the plan every 4-5 years, participating in the FireSmart and resiliency committee and appointing a FireSmart coordinator.
Coulthard emphasized the plan's role in unlocking further financial resources.
"This is the first step in accessing a whole stream of additional funding to fund these action items," he stated.
The Fire Department is poised to begin implementing the long-term plan's recommendations this year. Specific items, such as hiring a part-time FireSmart coordinator, will be brought back to the council for approval.
While Sidney may lack expansive forested areas, the community has been identified as having a moderate wildfire risk due to the potential for ember showers from other forested areas on the Peninsula to reach the Town.
Sidney Fire Chief Brett Mikkelsen called the plan a "foundational document" that identifies the unique risks facing Sidney.
"It prioritizes initiatives that we can take as a community to improve our urban interface wildfire preparedness and resiliency," he said.
The development of the CWRP was funded by the Community Resiliency Investment Program Grant and administered by the Union of BC Municipalities, demonstrating a collaborative effort to strengthen Sidney's resilience.
