Professionals from around North America were in Nelson last week for the Kootenay Wildfire and Climate Change Conference. Speakers included climate change consultants, fire ecologists, and forest engineers. Nelson’s Fire Chief Len McCharles was also one of the speakers who talked about mitigation efforts locally.
Chief McCharles says that work includes making the community aware of the risk. He urges residents to make an evacuation plan and put together a 72 hour emergency kit.
Last summer’s Provincial State of Emergency was declared on July 7 and brought on one of the worst wildfire seasons with an unprecedented amount of land burned and people displaced.
Chief McCharles says there’s some new ideas out there when it comes to mitigation efforts.
He says it was a great opportunity to host such a range of experts in the Kootenays which he feels is an area that can show a lot of leadership in fuel mitigation efforts.
