The Area D Rural Action Wildfire Society (ADRAWS) is a 100% volunteer nonprofit society dedicated to strengthening the resilience of Area D communities against the threat of wildfires.  We are located in Electoral Area D of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District in British Columbia, Canada. 

Through education, preparedness initiatives, volunteer engagement, partnerships, and community leadership, ADRAWS works to reduce wildfire risk and improve the ability of residents to respond to and recover from wildfire events. 

Why Do We Need ADRAWS???
With BC Wildfire Services (BCWS) and local Fire Departments, why would we need a wildfire society?  The obvious answer is that we can all see that wildfire frequency and severity is on the rise.  Given the high number of fires that can be burning at once in a bad wildfire season resources can be spread thin.  With so many challenges at play, response times can sometimes be extended, allowing a small fire to grow into a towering wall of flame that becomes increasingly difficult to stop.  

With the active engagement of local residents, ADRAWS can be an important resource.

• When a fast response time is needed, local resident are often able to arrive at a fire quickly.

• With the organization that ADRAWS can create we can improve our safety.

  • • We have seen many times that when fires occur neighbours will respond.  Wildfires are very dangerous, and often these well intentioned people lack training and resources.  This can lead to unnecessarily unsafe situations.

    • Currently, ADRAWS does NOT have formal Wildfire Response Teams, but this is one of our goals.  ADRAWS would like to bring people together that are either already trained in wildfire suppression or are willing to get trained.  ADRAWS wants for these individuals to become organized Response Teams.  Once established, teams will meet to practice and become familiar with strategies, equipment, safety protocols, and establish their own command structures.

    • Often when fires occur things can become chaotic.  With the desire to have the latest information about a new fire, people often take a drive to see the fire for themselves.  While this is understandable, it can be problematic and dangerous.  This can lead to untrained people being on the roadways and on the scene of a wildfire.  They can be potentially getting in the way of vital response efforts or even inadvertently cause an accident. 
      With our growing WhatsApp Community people can get realtime updates regarding the status of local wildfires.  This members only community will help you to get the latest accurate information so that you can remain in the safety of your home and not take the unnecessary risk of going out on the roads during these tense and challenging times.

Mission Statement
To strengthen wildfire preparedness, resilience, and recovery in Electoral Area D through education, community engagement, partnership development, and volunteer-based support initiatives.

Vision
A resilient and connected rural community where residents are informed, prepared, and empowered to reduce wildfire risk, protect lives and property, and support one another before, during, and after wildfire events. 

What is Area D?
The Columbia Shuswap Regional District's (CSRD) Electoral Area D includes: 

Falkland, Deep Creek, Ranchero, Glenemma, Salmon Valley, Silver Creek, and Gardom Lake.