Nelson is seeking more than $350 000 of funding for wildfire mitigation. The funding is made available through the Union of BC Municipalities’ Community Resiliency Investment program. The fuel management activities are intended to protect infrastructure and homes. Thinning will also take place along evacuation routes.

The city says the project is part of a broader strategy of wildfire treatments. The funding covers 100 percent of project costs.

Nelson city council unanimously voted for the proposal from city staff to apply for the funding, which will be used over a two year period.

“All those in favour. And again, unanimous carry.”

The fuel management work will cover about 16 hectares of publicly owned land on the southern slope above Nelson. It will also include land around the recent Trevor Street land swap and areas bordering Highways 3A and 6.

Contracted crews will thin dense vegetation and reduce surface fuels. They will also clear burnable material in strategic areas around the edge of Nelson, to slow fires before they reach infrastructure. Reduction of so-called “ladder fuels” or lower branches and brush, is also a priority. Ladder fuel removal is meant to mitigate fast spreading “crown fires”, or fires at the tops of trees.

The report says impacts could include noise and some smoke during mitigation activities. It also says careful planning and strict adherence to ecological and environmental regulations will help ensure impacts are limited.

City staff will be available in person at local market information booths for discussion and education related to the efforts.