What’s a wildfire resilience plan, anyway?

A Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan is a tailored plan to a specific region that will identify high-risk wildfire areas and assess how wildfire could affect the local communities. A Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan will be developed for Electoral Areas D, E, F, G, H, and L, and provide a comprehensive strategy to mitigate and manage wildfire risks, enhance community safety and preparedness. Each electoral area plan will focus on:

• identifying and assessing wildfire hazards on crown land within and around the communities found within each electoral areas
• assessing potential risks and impacts to these communities and infrastructure from wildfires, and
• providing effective and feasible mitigation strategies to reduce identified hazards and risk.

Protecting what matters: why are these plans essential?

Community Wildfire Resiliency Plans are important because wildfires are becoming a bigger threat to our communities every year. With hotter, drier weather and more extreme fire seasons, the risk to people, homes, and the land around us is growing. Many people in the Cariboo have already experienced the fear, damage, and disruption wildfires can cause. That’s why these plans matter - they are a way for communities to take action before disaster strikes. By understanding the risks and planning ahead, we can reduce the impact wildfires have on our lives. Community Wildfire Resiliency Plans are about protecting what matters most: our families, our homes, our natural environment, and the places we call home. They help ensure that we’re not just reacting to wildfires, but preparing for them in smart, effective ways.

Who’s working on the plan – and when will you see it?

The CRD and Forsite Consultants Ltd. have completed the information-gathering phase for the Community Wildfire Resiliency Plans, including fieldwork, data collection, and community open houses held in late fall 2025.

Forsite is now finalizing the draft plans for Electoral Areas D, E, F, G, H, and L. Once completed, each plan will be brought forward to the Cariboo Regional District Board for consideration and adoption.

Following Forsite’s recommendations, the CRD will also prepare a five-year action plan to guide implementation and monitor progress once the Community Wildfire Resiliency Plans are adopted and in use.