Once again, loggers are the “tip of the spear” in wildfire suppression.

I am just back from working with a crew of loggers putting in control line with heavy equipment on a small fire in the Southern Interior. Once again, I am totally amazed at their versatility, perseverance, courage and productivity. They are often “the tip of the spear” of wildfire response but their value isn’t recognized often enough.

The low beds utilized long neglected roads to get us the iron where we needed it, on time, and in the order requested. The water truck drivers moved a lot of water fast in tough conditions. The machine operators never flinched at the tasks assigned and, as is often the case, came up with a better way of achieving the objective. Their equipment was maintained to the high production standard required for their regular work. The operators were well trained and local. They knew the area, had a personal interest in getting the fire under control and needed no support. The local forest company supplied maps and information that were critical to our success.

Kudos to the local BC Wildfire Zone who have made substantial off-season efforts to establish a positive relationship with local licensees and their contractors. Due to the resulting trust from these efforts, they allowed us to start early. We had built a good chunk of the line by the time the fire crews arrived. This eliminated conflicts and allowed both groups to work safely and effectively.

I don’t know how long we will have this valuable asset available. The financial and political stresses on the forest industry are well documented, pension plans are going broke, costs are up, rates are low, and the work hours are pretty rugged. I am amazed the industry is still going.

Last year, for the first time in my career, when I called for loggers to come help there weren’t any available due to mill closures and economic situations.

We will be lost without them if this continues in the future.

Doug