Williams Lake First Nation, partnering with the city of Williams Lake and the Cariboo Regional District are applying for evacuation route planning funding.
Grants are available through the 2024 UBCM Community Emergency Preparedness Fund and WLFN will be the lead applicant.
During the Cariboo Regional District board meeting Friday, April 12, a motion for the CRD to approve WLFN as the primary applicant and that the CRD manage the grant funding, was passed unanimously.
The vote came after a lengthy discussion about the necessity for evacuation route planning throughout the entire region.
When asked about the scope of the work, Area D director Steve Forseth heard that tentatively the volunteer fire departments at Wildwood, Miocene and 150 Mile House will also be part of the project.
“I support the project,” said Area C director John Massier. “The work involved is important for the whole region.”
He said the area should plan on an annual basis because roads change, some are shut down and bridges removed for example.
“It would be nice to have a fresh look every spring in light of possible evacuations.”
A yearly plan would highlight risks, he added, noting Bowron Lakes area only has one road in and one road out.
He also said there are some areas that are part of the CRD and part of Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, which also requires cooperation.
After the 2017 wildfires, Area H and CRD chair Margo Wagner requested information about Forest Service roads and any other roads.
In her area, Forest Grove, there was a perfect egress road in 2017 that the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure knew “nothing about,” she said.
Al Richmond, Area G director, said he hosted a meeting with a consultant to discuss 108 Mile House egress routes and since then residents have asked when the next evacuation planning meeting will be happen.
“We piqued interest when we had the meeting and people are wanting more,” he said.
Electoral F director Maureen LeBourdais said she was pleased to see the application because it is for work that needs to be done.
Wells mayor Ed Coleman said they are also applying for the funding.
Deadline for applying for the grant is April 26.
Board members also passed a motion to discuss the issue further for the entire region.
READ MORE: Williams Lake, Quesnel, recipients of evacuation route planning funds
READ MORE: BC Wildfire Service already planning for the fall, next season
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