MANAGING INTERFACE FIRE RISKS (2004 – Revised 2006)

Residents and visitors of BC are at risk to wildfires. Safety of responders and the public must be our first priority. Current policies and systems do not allow for timely, effective and proactive management of wildfires in urban interface zones.

Following the forest fires in the summer of 2003 there is continuing concern about the safety of homes within forestry areas plus towns and cities that are edged against forests. Fuel loading, or the increase in combustibles in the forest, has been identified as a significant factor in the 2003 forest fires. The 2003 firestorm’s combination of heavy fuel and extremely dry environment served to devastate our province both emotionally and economically.

This danger is not over, as the continuing dry spell keeps our province at risk. Interface areas adjacent to communities or outdoor commercial recreation improvements are a challenge to deal with and are not managed under the current system.

The “BC 2003 Firestorm Provincial Report” (Filmon Report) states that “dry BC forests pose danger”. In his report, Filmon said the fires erupted during the province's worst drought in a century. The risk of more devastating outbreaks remains high, he added.

“Many measures and forecasts suggest we're early on in a dry cycle, and as long as the … conditions persist, we're in danger,” Filmon said. “Obviously, it has to be done (removal of fuel and removal of overgrowth areas) with great sensitivity to environmental health and fire hazard concerns, but it must be done," he said, acknowledging that some people will object to the destruction of trees and the smoke from controlled fires.

The ex-premier began his review of forest management practices last October. He held public hearings and listened to presentations from about 400 people, including government officials, workers battling blazes and residents forced to flee their homes.

THE CHAMBER RECOMMENDS

That the Provincial Government

1. make the recommendations from the Filmon Report a priority by:

1. carrying out controlled burns near communities;
2. carrying out strategic logging, sometimes in parks;
3. partner with Advanced Education in the training of forest management personnel; and

2. work with local governments to fund and implement an urban interface forest fire protection program for Crown lands adjacent to communities at risk.