BC Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson on Friday pledged that his new government will implement the Wildfire Action Plan to protect BC’s communities. This plan will buy water bombers, clear dangerous fuels, speed up safe prescribed burns, help crews work together faster, and fund early detection technology.
He noted that British Columbia has been devastated by wildfires over the past decade. Behind those fires are families who packed up what they could and left, not knowing whether they would have a home to come back to.
“I’ve seen the terror of wildfires up close. Families have lost everything they spent their lives building, and large parts of our beautiful province have been turned to ash. No family should have to live through this again. The people who have lived through it deserve a serious plan that protects British Columbia,” said Doerkson.
Controlled burns are one of the most effective tools for reducing wildfire risk. But lengthy approvals are needed even for routine, predictable burns. And when fire strikes, nearby firefighting crews face red tape of their own, even when they’re just down the road.
The Conservative Party of BC will protect British Columbia’s communities from wildfires, and stand with the people who call them home. In government, it will immediately implement the Protect Communities from Wildfire Action Plan so the province is prepared for next summer and families can face fire season with less fear. The Action Plan will:
- Procure new firefighting aircraft, including waterbombers;
- Reduce dangerous forest fuels around communities;
- Make prescribed fire easier to use without lowering safety standards;
- Allow qualified firefighting resources to work more quickly during emergencies;
- Create a dedicated fund to invest in early detection and prevention technologies.
“Wildfire takes more than homes. It takes people’s sense of safety and the places they love, and I know how heavy that weight is for the families carrying it. Our job is to do better by them,” said Doerkson. “Our government will clear the dangerous fuel around our communities, spot fires early, cut the red tape on controlled burns, and let our firefighters work together when it matters most. We owe that to every family who has ever had to leave home with a fire at their back.”
