As the people of Lytton struggle to rebuild their homes and community, fire officials are stepping up efforts to reduce the danger forest interface wildfires here.
Retired City of Port Alberni fire captain Randy Thoen recently accepted the position of firesmart coordinator for the Alberni Clayoquot Regional District and is developing programs to lower the interface fire risk.
He says the ACRD is offering free fire prevention assessments and free pickup of branches for those who are unable to dispose of them properly themselves.
“Particularly the folks who live close to the bush, there’s an unspoken tradition to load up wheelbarrows and haul that debris from their yard and into the bush where it piles up,” he said. “We’re really encouraging people to have that curbside pickup happen so we don’t have that layer of fine fuels.”
Thoen said assessments and pickup can be arranged by contacting the ACRD office.
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