The City of Grande Prairie has been awarded a $200K grant from the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta to support the city’s continued wildfire mitigation efforts.
The city’s Vegetation Management Project will be implemented with the new funding and aims to reduce wildfire risk for the city, specifically the South Bear Creek corridor, and Mayor Jackie Clayton says the funding will help further wildfire mitigation in and around the city.
“We are thrilled that the City of Grande Prairie has secured this significant grant which will assist us in essential wildfire supports and prioritizing community safety,” she says.
Additionally, the city says plans to use the funding for the continued incorporation of FireSmarting and vegetation management to establish more defensible spaces to enhance wildfire safety in Grande Prairie and it’s ecosystem. Public education initiatives and “cross-training” opportunities for the city’s fire department will utilize the funding as well.
The city says the next step is to secure a forestry consultant who will lead the development of the vegetation management project.
