There are presently 103 First Nations communities in British Columbia that are within the MPB affected zone and are creating impacts by the spread of the Mountain Pine Beetle (MPB) to provincial crown forested lands and adjacent reserve lands.

The immediate goal for the Department is to ensure all 103 MPB affected communities are introduced to the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) program and receive the necessary assistance to guide them through the process of completing CWPP’s. The CWPP program focuses on OFF-RESERVE crown forested lands adjacent to First Nations Reserve Lands. A long term goal is to ensure ALL First Nations communities beyond those directly affected by the MPB impact zone become fully engaged with CWPP program.

The objectives laid out for Departmental staff are clear; ensure site visits with all stakeholders are conducted, planning funds are being utilized, utilization of operational funds are being clearly stated (Registered Professional Forester (RPF) review and signed off), and best practices/success stories are prominently shared for all. Additional staff members were hired this year to accommodate a meaningful engagement with all Bands, as more and more are moving forward through completion of the Planning stage to the Operational activities Phase.

FURTHER READING

What is a Community Wildfire Protection Plan? Click here to find out more.

For information on the provincial government Fuel Management Program, click here.

To read Bruce Morrow's paper "What is Forest Fuel Management" click here

To print a copy of the CWPP Application, click here.

Community Wildfire Protection Plan
– Templates & Information

Funding and Timelines for Completion

For further information on the MPB project, please contact the Kamloops office at (250) 377 7600

LINKS