Public safety first priority of B.C. Wildfire Service
Nick Raeside is certainly correct in saying that wildfire management practices have changed in British Columbia since 1957 (“The changing face of B.C. forest fires”, Oct. 8).
The challenges that the B.C. Wildfire Service faces have also changed dramatically over the past 60 years, due in part to increased development in rural areas, the impact of mountain pine beetle infestations on our forests and the growing effects of climate change.
Because the province’s landscape is continually evolving, our government’s approach to fire prevention and wildfire management is also constantly being evaluated and improved. The B.C. Wildfire Service is a recognized world leader in these areas.
It is truly remarkable and a testament to the tireless efforts of our firefighters, air crews, support staff, private contractors and partner agencies that, during one of the worst wildfire seasons ever, not one human life was lost, and property damage was limited.
B.C.’s wildfire management professionals use advanced firedetection and firefighting technology to “hit hard and hit fast.” In recent decades, that approach has been coupled with a better understanding of wildfire behaviour and how fire can help renew forests where lives and property are not at risk.
Our first priority is public safety. Our frontline firefighters are trained professionals, and we also rely on the assistance and expertise of local contractors and first responders. We also use expertise from across government in an effective and efficient way to meet challenging wildfire situations.
The B.C. government is working with the federal government and other Canadian jurisdictions to achieve the goals outlined in Wildland Fire Strategy: A 10-year Review and Renewed Call to Action. The strategy recognizes that a cohesive, national approach is needed to focus on fire prevention and ensure that we are all better prepared to deal with catastrophic wildfire threats. The strategy’s objectives include helping communities become more fire-resilient, promoting healthier and more productive forest ecosystems, and continuing to develop state-of-the-art wildfire preparedness and response capabilities.
The B.C. government also fully supports the use of FireSmart principles and prescribed burning to reduce wildfire risks around communities. As part of our new government’s 2018 budget update, we’ve allocated $140 million for wildfire-risk reduction, reforestation, forest rehabilitation and wildlife habitat restoration, and to raise public awareness of the FireSmart program.
As it has always done, my ministry will continue working to mitigate the effects of wildfires on the landscape and protect B.C.’s communities. Doug Donaldson is B.C.’s minister of forests, lands, natural resource operations and rural development.