January Ramblings

Weather

After a brief period of normal winter, we were into the warm and rainy weather again. Freezing levels are over the top of the mountains and the already shallow low and mid-elevation snowpack is disappearing fast. Not sure how the burned areas and rehabbed guards held up but I haven’t heard any horror stories so fingers crossed. Road restrictions and early breakup for the loggers may be on the horizon sooner than they like. I am 0 for 45 at accurately predicting fire seasons. It could rain from now until August, but I am going to be ready for an early start to the wildfire season this spring.

BC Wildfire Service 2023 Summary Response Info

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/about-bcws/wildfire-history/wildfire-season-summary

There is lots of interesting information but the one that catches my eye is the 80% Initial Attack success rate. This means that 80% of the fires were held at less than five ha. For years the goal was 94% and that was supposed to rise with the BC Wildfire Service going to a year around program. Once a fire exceeds five hectares control is almost always dependent on favorable weather.

I don’t know why this number is going the wrong way but I do know there isn’t one silver bullet answer. Lots of people are saying it is slow response and poor work by Initial Attack crews. I do notice lots of new (and younger) faces every year on the crews but I watched them do incredible work in the last few seasons so hesitate to lay blame on them. The very high amount of fuel in our wildlands, the prolonged, seemingly more frequent periods of hazardous weather and associated droughts definitely are major contributing factors. Access issues and reserved areas also contribute to the difficulty of controlling wildfires.  

The public and industry have some obligations to report and respond under the Wildfire Act and Regulations. Industry requirements are more detailed than for the public especially for work detailed as “High Risk. In my training I include forestry, agriculture, recreation, oil &gas, construction and transport in the industry category for all Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Recovery training and advice.

Act https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/04031_01

Regs https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/11_38_2005

There may also be contractual and insurance requirements for contractors to meet or exceed the Act and Regulations.

BC Wildfire is organizing methods to increase public participation in response and some communities are already well along in the process. As discussed in last week’s blog there can be advantages and disadvantages to this.

The logging sector of the forest industry are well aware of their response obligations and contribute invaluable service with their equipment and operators when called. Many have pre-arranged agreements with local zones to facilitate rapid response. Generally due to mechanization, industry doesn’t supply ground workers for suppression.

Wildfire Contractors I have talked to are struggling to recruit and retain quality workers as well. It is tough, dirty, uncomfortable work. Crews are away from home for extended periods of time and the volume of work varies from none in a quiet year to too much in big years. The job is very tough on relationships and families. Crews need to be adequately trained, properly equipped, properly supervised and physically capable of doing the work. There is a pool of contractors that supply crews to the BCWS on an as needed/as available basis via the Standing Offer for Services. This is a pretty ponderous process and it is difficult to maintain the required standards.

I feel the silviculture industry is a logical solution to this shortage. Tree-planters are really the only group in the forest industry that are physically capable of doing the work, in adequate numbers to alleviate the shortage. There are thousands of planters getting laid off just as the fire season usually ramps up. As forest workers they are required to be trained and equipped to respond to a wildfire on, or near, their worksite or when directed by a Wildfire Official. It makes sense to me for BC Wildfire and Licensees to communicate to see how to incorporate this potential valuable asset to expand response capacity when needed. It looks to me that a simple revision to the Industry Agreement would suffice to make this happen.

Prevention and Mitigation

A wise old hooktender once told me that the ancient Chinese symbol for disaster is the same as the one for opportunity. Several different groups are working together to resolve our current wildfire related problems and recognizing the potential for mutually beneficial actions. Community and Regional Firesmart groups, First Nations, all levels of government, District Wildfire Risk Reduction professionals, BCWS Predictive Services, Industry and Professional Associations and private companies all have dedicated people who are accomplishing a lot. Wildfire has been a main topic in all convention programs I have looked at this year. It is great to see land managers starting to develop Landscape Level Fuel Management Plans.

Last year I laid out and constructed kilometers of control line that had very little chance of success due to excessive fuel loads. Too much of it was immediately adjacent to residences and communities that hadn’t done any Firesmart or Fuel Modification. 

There are numerous sources for wildfire related grants and funding to communities and businesses. Eligible projects include fuel modification, training, and equipment purchases. Contact your local Firesmart Rep or search the BC Wildfire and Government websites for help.

Preparedness- Fire Equipment

Heads up regarding availability of certain wildfire equipment. Government agencies are replacing damaged and missing pumps from last year and various other groups are establishing or improving equipment caches. The word is to check with your suppliers and don’t wait until the last minute to place your order.

Check in next week. I will be looking at how to choose an appropriate pump to fit your requirements.

Training

I am well underway planning and scheduling training. I am booking up rapidly. There is a noticeable increase in people wanting training and they are from more diverse backgrounds than I have experienced in the past.

If you are signing up for training make sure your instructor includes up to date information on Safe Zone size, improved Entrapment Avoidance and Survival information and more detailed Initial Attack guidelines to reflect current conditions.   

Last year I worked Line Locating and supervising line construction with several Forest Professionals that had little or no experience or training. I have put a ½ day info session together for experienced layout people that may go do this work. Call if interested.

Talk soon

Doug