City of Penticton supports grant application to create firebreaks

PENTICTON – The city has supported the Penticton Fire Department's grant applications to build fire breaks in the city’s northeast end.

Deputy Fire Chief Dave Spalding approached city council seeking a resolution supporting the fire department’s application for grant funding from the Union of B.C. Municipalities.

Spalding says the money would be used to create wildfire breaks in the Riddle Road and Campbell Mountain landfill areas. 

Grant funding would make up 75 per cent of the cost of the work which totals $27,000. The city’s share amounts to $6,951.

Spalding says the funds would come out of next year’s budget, with work taking place between February 2017 and April 2017.

Council supported the fire department’s request for support of the grant application.

Spalding noted a previous request for grant funds made last fall to council resulted in a successful application for funds to create a community wildfire plan and provide funding for fire smart public education. He said both programs were in operation and “coming along quite well.”

The fire department will be holding a public education demonstration on wildfire prevention on May 29 at Sendero Canyon. Members of the public are invited to attend the event, which starts at 12:30 p.m.

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