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Penticton hoping to create more FireSmart neighbourhoods

The city and RDOS will host a FireSmart landscaping and ecology presentation Feb. 16
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The Thomas Creek wildfire burned above OK Falls and Oliver for more than a month. The City of Penticton and the RDOS are hoping to raise provide people in the ecology industry with tools and information on wildfire prevention. ((Mike Biden photo)

The City of Penticton and the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) are teaming up in February to talk wildfire prevention with landscaping professionals.

On Feb. 16, Penticton and the RDOS will offer an online presentation to landscapers, garden centres and nurseries about what people can do when preparing for wildfire season.

FireSmart teams across the region will host the presentation via ZOOM.

“Continuous urban sprawl and development into the wildland environment increases the potential for wildfire to impact homes and livelihoods,” said Penticton’s FireSmart coordinator Brittany Siebert.

She also added that the city hopes to create more FireSmart neighbourhoods by providing those in the ecology industry with more tools and information about wildfires in the community.

It’s an idea the RDOS Chair Mark Pendergraft completely supports.

“Following FireSmart principles can help protect your home and property in the event of a wildfire,” he said.

“As more communities are looking to FireSmart their neighbourhoods, providing this event to industry professionals and employees will support their knowledge about the program, including landscaping best practices.”

BC Wildfire Service announced planned burns in October across the South Okanagan in an attempt to reduce wildfire risk in fire zones.

READ MORE: BC Wildfire Service doing controlled burns east of Naramata until March

2021 was the third worst year for wildfires in B.C. history, according to the province’s year-end statistics.

The presentation hosted by FireSmart teams is set to last for two hours, starting at 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 16.

Nursery employees across the region are invited to attend the presentation. Landscapers and attendees on behalf of local garden centres are also encouraged to register.

People interested in attending the presentation are asked to visit Penticton FireSmart events.

READ MORE: Helicopter crash, tractor rollovers and wildfires push Oliver Fire Department to record year


@lgllockhart
logan.lockhart@pentictonwesternnews.com

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