Macdonald questions wildfire protection planning

Forestry watchdog report points to the government’s continued failure to protect communities from wildfire risk.

The BC government’s own forestry watchdog is reporting that six years after the Filmon report on the wildfires of 2003, only 5% of interface forests at highest risk for wildfire have been treated, says Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA and Opposition Critic for Forestry Norm Macdonald. [Read more]

Fairmont, Windermere firefighters practice rescue techniques

Training day.

In fact, it was a weekend. A chilly one in early November, where local firefighters from Fairmont and Windermere boned up on the ins and outs — literally! — of vehicle extrication.

With a lot full of old cars, a couple of trucks and a tool belt of hydraulic powered rescue equipment the group of ten gathered near the Fairmont airport for three days of intensive vehicle extrication training. [Read more]

"We're not giving up on Norman!"

Invermere firefighters show their support for Norman Gagatek.

Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald sat down with Invermere firefighters on Wednesday to hear their concerns about the availability of health services for fellow firefighter Norman Gagatek.

Gagatek, who suffered a debilitating brain stem stroke in July 2008, is working hard to prepare for an advanced rehabilitation program in Ponoka, Alberta. Gagatek’s partner Kim Harris and their two children are looking forward to having Norman home, but inconsistencies and delays in the availability of therapy services in Invermere are making recovery difficult. [Read more]

Auditor General questioned on stalled wildfire planning

Macdonald asks Auditor General to examine follow-through on Filmon wildfire report.

New Democrat forests critic Norm Macdonald has asked Auditor General John Doyle to examine the B.C. Liberal government’s progress in implementing the 2004 Filmon report recommendations on wildfire preparedness.

Former Manitoba premier Gary Filmon made 42 recommendations, including insisting that the provincial government take the lead in reducing the risk of fires near populated centres. Macdonald wrote to Doyle today, asking for an independent assessment of the status of those recommendations. [Read more]

Abandoned campfires alarm fire officials

A surge of abandoned campfires across the Southeast Fire Centre has fire officials concerned, as the risk of wildfire is high to extreme for much of the region.

Fire wardens patrolling recreational areas have responded to 21 abandoned campfires since Thursday, when the last campfire ban in the region was lifted for the Boundary Fire Zone. Campfires must be treated with caution. If officials continue to find abandoned fires, additional restrictions may be necessary.

Unseasonably warm and dry conditions continue across the Southeast Fire Centre and central British Columbia, leading to aggressive fire behaviour and continued fire starts. All of the region’s sustained-action Unit Crews are currently engaged in wildfire suppression outside of the Fire Centre. Initial response capability is also limited, with only 11 of 28 Initial Attack crews available in the Southeast Fire Centre. [Read more]

Premier says thanks for firefighting help

B.C. thanks Canada for firefighting efforts.

At the B.C.-Alberta-Saskatchewan joint Cabinet meeting, B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell extended thanks to Alberta and Saskatchewan crews that assisted in fighting B.C.’s wildfires.

“This past summer, British Columbia had one of the most challenging fire seasons on record, with over 3,000 fires, of which over 200 directly threatened communities,” said Premier Campbell. “We could not have had the incredible success in protecting communities without the expert assistance of fire personnel from across Canada. We are grateful to our colleagues across the country, and the brave men and women who came to B.C. to assist in our firefighting efforts.” [Read more]

Fire Centre thankful for public assistance

Cooler weather and precipitation have led the Southeast Fire Centre to lift the campfire ban in many areas, but fire officials are thanking the public for their cooperation and assistance in this year’s busy fire season.

Public vigilance and respect for campfire and open burning bans allowed the Southeast Fire Centre to send crews, fire management specialists and support personnel to other areas in the province to respond to a significant number of large fires.

Eighteen 3-person Initial Attack Crews and four 20-person Unit Crews are currently assisting in the Kamloops, Coastal and Northwest Fire Centres. Over twenty Forest Protection Officers and additional support staff are also working in other areas of British Columbia. Ten Initial Attack crews remain in the Southeast to respond to anticipated fire starts in this area. [Read more]

Weekend lightning causes more fires

An ongoing lightning storm in the Southeast Fire Centre has caused over 100 new wildfires, despite significant localised precipitation.

Wildfire fighters responded quickly and have already contained or extinguished over 60 of these new fires. The largest fire has grown to 21 hectares; it is located in a very remote area east of the Bush Arm of Kinbasket Lake. Most of the fires have not exceeded one hectare in size.

While rain in some areas lessened the immediate fire risk on the forest floor, the forest is still dry beneath the surface layer and prone to fire starts. As conditions become warmer and dryer in the coming days, undetectable fires that are currently smouldering in wetter fuels will become more active, consuming built-up fuels beneath the forest canopy. This type of fire has been known to smoulder in excess of two weeks before growing when conditions allow it. These hold-over fires will add to the anticipated lightning starts, contributing to a significant workload for crews. [Read more]

BC gets firefighting help from other provinces

Additional firefighting crews requested.

British Columbia is welcoming additional personnel from Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario to assist B.C. fire crews as hot and dry conditions continue in the province.

A seven-person incident management team from Alberta arrived yesterday. Two 20-person crews from Manitoba and five four-person crews from Saskatchewan will arrive today. Approximately 150 firefighters and fire specialists from Ontario will arrive on July 26. Specialists include incident commanders, division supervisors and fire behaviour analysts. [Read more]

Lightning starts wildfire near Brisco

Lightning storm sparks wildfires.

Crews across the southern portion of the Southeast Fire Centre are responding to a series of wildfires caused by the recent thunder storm. Lightning strikes have caused 41 wildfires since Thursday morning, primarily concentrated in the Boundary, Arrow and Kootenay Lake zones.

A wildfire near Brisco, north of Invermere, threatened two homes and resulted in brief highway closures. Twelve firefighters worked overnight with Forest Protection Officers, water tenders and heavy equipment to contain the two hectare fire. The fire was controlled by 9 a.m. today. Contract crews are currently working to mop up the fire, extinguishing hot spots within the perimeter. [Read more]