A new research chair position is being created at Thompson Rivers University (TRU), focussing on wildfire prediction and response within British Columbia.
The British Columbia Research Chair in Predictive Services will work in collaboration with emergency responders, industry and communities and well as working together with Emergency Management and Fire Science towards an improved ability to forecast, prevent and respond to wildfire emergencies.
“Interior communities have worked together to advocate for additional research and capacity to help better understand wildfires, in order to protect their residents, infrastructure, and economies,” said Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development
“We’re answering the call to action with this research position. This is one more step we’re taking to help keep British Columbians safe.”
$5 million in provincial funding will pay for the position, which will be hosted at the Kamloops campus of TRU. The Kamloops location was chosen due to its proximity to key transportation routes, Emergency Management BC (EMBC) and BC Wildfire Service operational centres.
“Kamloops is the ideal location for this research position,” said Kamloops mayor Ken Christian.
“Not only do we have a natural vulnerability to forest fires, and in particular urban interference fires, we also have had a great deal of experience dealing with evacuations and recovery. This is good news for Kamloops and for British Columbia.”
The chair’s research will, in part, support wildfire data modelling including the relationship between climate change and wildfire risk. The floods and wildfires of 2017 cost the province of BC $1.6 billion.
“This new position will bring together experts to advance the use of technology in emergency management,” said Michelle Mungall, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Competitiveness.
“Our province needs innovative solutions to help minimize the threats that wildfires pose to our people and economy.”
The first appointment to the TRU research chair is expected to take place later this year.
