North Thompson Tactical Plan

The process of wildfire risk reduction planning and implementation involves several phases. Tactical plans are the first step in the planning process. Tactical plans are high-level plans to determine areas of high-wildfire risk, identify values at risk, and set priority rankings for undertaking fuel mitigation work. These plans are put together through collaboration with Natural Resource Districts, BC Wildfire staff, as well as input from local Registered Professional Foresters.

In 2021, Cabin was contracted to complete the Tactical Plan for the North Thompson. The North Thompson Tactical Plan’s area of interest stretched along the North Thompson River from Heffley Creek in the south to Dunn Lake in the North and considered approximately 30,000 ha of area for wildfire threat. Areas were also assessed for prescribed burn potential, however, the vast majority of areas will likely require fuel treatments before receiving prescribed burns.

Cabin delivered an actionable plan specific to the area and wildfire risk. A total of 1,204 ha of areas are recommended for fuel treatments with 117 ha identified as the highest priority.

The tactical plan report outlined the methodology, risk analysis process, and assumptions. The objective of the plan is to protect homes and structures, community egress, and critical infrastructure (e.g., radio towers, water reservoirs, etc.). This was achieved through the identification of Fuel Treatment Units (FTUs) and Assess Monitor Units (AMUs). The spatial deliverables for the plan include a geodatabase and kmz, attribute data, and georeferenced maps.