Community Wildfire Protection Plan

Content

The District of Maple Ridge is embedded within the forest; approximately 60% of the community is forested. This region of the Province is susceptible to both lightning and human caused fires. Overall, the community could be classified with a fire risk profile described by a low to moderate fire probability and high to extreme consequence based on the values at risk.

B.A. Blackwell and Associates Ltd. were retained to develop a Community Wildfire Protection Plan [PDF, 10.8MB] in consultation with District staff from the Fire Rescue Service and other support staff as required. The project was funded by the District and a supplementary grant from the Union of B.C. Municipalities.

The key priorities for wildfire management planning in the District were identified as:

• Hazard and risk mapping of the District to establish areas of the community that are at greatest risk from fire;
• Facilitation of communication and education to local residents, all levels of government, and the general public;
• Facilitation of a review and amendment of existing and proposed Development Permits based on the hazard mapping assessment;
• Facilitation of revisions to building standards and bylaws; and
• Identification of potential locations for strategic fuel breaks and forest stand-level fuel reduction both within and outside the community.

A Wildfire Risk Management System [PDF, 4.7MB] was developed to identify key areas of risk within the community and to support the development of the Plan. A synopsis of key findings and plan recommendations follows. In total, 19 recommendations were developed for consideration by the District. These focus on Communication and Education, Structure Protection, Emergency Response, Training and Post Fire Rehabilitation.