Government of Canada Announces Funding to Support Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation
January 22, 2025
Ottawa, ON – The Government of Canada today announced significant funding to support wildfire prevention and mitigation efforts across the country. The announcement was made by the Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, and the Minister of Public Safety, the Honourable Marco Mendicino.
“Wildfires are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change, posing a significant threat to our communities, our economy, and our environment,” said Minister Wilkinson. “This funding will help us take proactive steps to reduce the risk of wildfires and protect lives, property, and critical infrastructure.”
The funding will be invested in a range of initiatives, including:
- Fuel management: $100 million to support fuel management activities, such as prescribed burns and thinning, to reduce the amount of flammable vegetation in high-risk areas.
- Early detection and response: $50 million to enhance early detection and response systems, such as fire towers and aerial surveillance, to quickly identify and suppress wildfires.
- Community preparedness: $25 million to support community preparedness initiatives, such as firewise programs and public education campaigns, to help communities reduce their vulnerability to wildfires.
- Research and development: $25 million to support research and development efforts to improve wildfire prediction, detection, and suppression technologies.
“Wildfire prevention and mitigation is a shared responsibility between all levels of government, Indigenous communities, and the public,” said Minister Mendicino. “This funding will help us work together to reduce the risks of wildfires and ensure the safety of our communities.”
The funding announcement is part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to invest $2.75 billion in wildfire management over the next five years. This investment is in addition to the $1.5 billion already invested in wildfire management in recent years.
“This funding is a welcome investment in wildfire prevention and mitigation,” said Kim Babb, President of the Canadian Wildland Fire Management Forum. “It will help us address the growing challenges posed by wildfires and protect our communities and our environment.”
The Government of Canada encourages all Canadians to take steps to prepare for wildfires by developing emergency plans, creating defensible space around their homes, and staying informed about wildfire risks in their area. For more information, please visit www.wildfire.canada.ca.
Government of Canada to Announce Funding to Support Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation
The AI has provided us with the news.
I’ve asked Google Gemini the following question, and here’s its response.
Canada All National News a new article on 2025-01-22 15:00 titled “Government of Canada to Announce Funding to Support Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation”. Please write a detailed article on this news item, including any relevant information. Answers should be in English.
126