B.C. Wildfire is using old tactics to fight new fires

It is obvious that the B.C. Wildfire Service has no intention of going beyond their decades old 94% success rate on initial attack. They are content with 6% of fires turning into sustained action fires; the ones that cause all the destruction.

Every time a wildfire escapes initial attack, the B.C. Wildfire Service decision makers are ready with their excuses.

Year after year, same old, same old. The service needs to rise above the challenges of climate change, multiple fires, aggressive fire behaviour, steep terrain, poor access, fuel loading, and strong wind. Perhaps the decision makers should revisit aerial attack.

Recent and past years clearly shows that the current air fleet cannot keep up with climate change. The new normal demands quick and aggressive aerial attack!. Day and night. And with sufficient rotary and fixed wing aircraft that are also capable of getting the job done on initial attack. It is doable.

The government and the dervice can make it happen if they want to. Sure, it is expensive putting money upfront for aircraft preparedness but the service has no problem spending endless cash on sustained action fires. If there is no significant change to initial air attack the public can expect more of the same: evacuations, smoke and loss.

risk for greater suffering—as witnessed during the heat domes—you know the system is broken. This is completely unacceptable for British Columbians.

The problem is a lack of consistent and stable funding. This is caused by a complex funding formula, ill-equipped to deal with the inflationary realities of emergencies services. Communities of all sizes and needs pay into the system but because of priorities the funding bounces based on need, responding to cyclical catastrophes. We are also losing our most skilled operators to places that pay better or have manageable workloads.

If we want to address the serious risks that accompany 911 gridlock and ensure it will be there for you, then all levels of government will need to make a significant investment to fix it. What the system needs is a stable funding model where funding doesn’t ebb and flow based on news headlines, but is there all the time to ensure this core service can be delivered in a manner that British Columbians need and deserve—especially on the worst days of our lives.