Port Hope Adopts New Wildland Fire Management Plan
Forest Fire By Matt Howard. Free Use Domain Unsplash
By: Jolie Manez
The Municipality of Port Hope has adopted a new Municipal Wildland Fire Management Plan aimed at strengthening the community's ability to respond to the increasing risk of wildland fires.
The plan was developed by Port Hope Fire and Emergency Services (PHFES) with funding support from Hydro One's Energizing Life Community Fund, in collaboration with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority, and local emergency service partners.
Wildfires continue to be of increasing concern across Ontario and Canada as a whole, due to climate change, prolonged droughts, an increased frequency of extreme weather, and development in forested and rural areas. Municipal officials say the plan will respond to the wildfire risk by identifying high-risk areas, improving emergency response planning, outlining strategies for vegetation management and fuel reduction, and ensuring wildfire risk is considered during future land-use and infrastructure planning. This is all in an effort towards strengthening readiness, prevention, public education and safety, and emergency response capabilities within Port Hope.
“The completion of this plan strengthens our ability to respond to a changing climate and helps build a more resilient community,” said Mayor Olena Hankivsky. “It reflects our commitment to protecting residents today and into the future.”
As a key piece of the plan, the FireSmart Canada program has been introduced in Port Hope, which will focus on educating residents on what they can do to reduce wildfire risk in and around their properties. Along with this, the Municipality is also considering the creation of a FireSmart Community Committee to help in further education and engagement among residents.
