Williams Lake Wildfire Risk Reduction and FireSmart Coordinator Taya Vanderkop-Girard presented to city council at the regular council meeting on April 1.
Vanderkop-Girard attained a Master's degree in Environmental Public Health and studied at the Centre for Wildfire Coexistence at the University of British Columbia.
At the end of January, she began her new role with the city to help implement the Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan (CWRP) which is currently in development.
At the council meeting, Vanderkop-Girard provided an educational presentation on fire wildfire risk reduction as the area heads into wildfire season. She talked about the Fire Smart program, which was developed based on scientific evidence to determine the most effective ways to improve the chances of a home surviving a wildfire.
She also shared a video from the Fort McMurray wildfire which helps highlight the importance of homeowners applying Fire Smart principles to help protect their own and their neighbour's properties.
"People often tend to think of this kind of big wall of flames that's going to come and sweep through a community, but the reality is it tends to be embers that pose the biggest danger," she explained, noting how the airborne embers can travel kilometres to ignite dry fuels throughout a community.
In the video, dry shrubs and other flammable materials ignite in front of homes, across a wide road and lawn from the large flame front.
"There's a lot we can do to address this," explained Vanderkop-Girard, going on to outline some key actions property owners can take adn emphasizing the importance of the 1.5 metres closest to the home.
She also mentioned Fire Smart plants and highlighted the Fire Smart booklet and website to help get homeowners started.
A community survey out now was also brought to council's attention, to help inform the Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan.
"It's really important to us to ensure the action items under the plan are reflective of residents' needs," she said.
The city's Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan Survey can be found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CoWLresiliencyplan
She reminded council tipping fees are waved at the landfill for Fire Smart materials.
"One of my main goals is to work to reduce barriers to community participation in Fire Smart activities," she said, noting barriers to participation can include disability, costs or time.
She promised council the city and residents will be hearing from the Fire Smart program in the future and she has already attended some events to help get the word out about the program, including a Williams Lake Mustangs game.
The young Vancouverite who went to school in Toronto is so far enjoying her first time living in a small town.
With everyone being so welcoming, Vanderkop-Girard told the Tribune she has already connected with the local climbing community and is excited to try mountain biking.
"I love it so far," she said.
