qathet Regional District Completes FireSmart Improvements on Hospital Board lands thanks to Provincial Grant
qathet, BC – Between November 27, 2025 and December 11, 2025, the qathet Regional District (qRD) FireSmart program completed FireSmart improvements to the qathet Regional Hospital District vacant lands located adjacent to Abbotsford Street thanks to funding through the Union of British Columbia (UBCM) through the 2025 Community Resiliency Investment Program, FireSmart Community Funding & Supports. The grant funded 100 per cent of project costs.
The effort focused on vegetation management and reducing fuel loading both on the ground and ladder fuels by pruning the low-level branches up to two meters. Vegetation management, which can also be known as fuel treatment projects, aims to reduce potential wildfire intensity and minimizing unpredictable fire behaviour.
“The Hospital Board Lands are in the heart of Westview and the fire smarting of this property will vastly reduce the hazard of a wide spread forest fire on this property,” said Noel Poulin, qRD FireSmart Coordinator. “The limiting of this risk is a relief to the neighbours and the community in general, and we thank the UBCM for their generous support to complete this project.”
The qRD FireSmart program operates throughout all areas of the qathet Regional District including the City of Powell River and all Electoral Areas. The FireSmart Program aims to educate and support residential property owners to build our community’s wildfire resilience while reducing risks of wildfire in our region. To learn more about our regional FireSmart program, or to request property fire risk assessment please visit https://qathet.ca/services/emergency-services/regional-firesmart-program/.
About the qathet Regional District:
The qathet Regional District serves the rural areas from Lund to sḵelhp (Saltery Bay), the City of Powell River, Texada Island, Savary Island, and Lasqueti Island. The qRD provides some services, through contract, to Tla’amin Nation. To learn more please visit qathet.ca.
CONTACT:
Ryan Thoms, General Manager of Emergency Services | Patrick Devereaux, General Manager of Operational Services
#202 – 4675 Marine Avenue, Powell River, BC V8A 2L2
P: 604∙485∙2260 | E: administration@qathet.ca