Wildfire Isn’t Easy To Predict, But We Can Plan For It (And Prevent It!)
Since 2011, Western Canada has experienced a series of extreme fire seasons that have affected many communities. In fact, wildfires have forced more Canadians to evacuate in the last eight years than the entire three decades before. We also know that fire seasons are getting longer, and with more fast-spreading, intense fires can threaten public safety and property.
And while the majority of BC’s wildfires this summer have been in the Interior of BC, where lightning activity is more frequent, and average summer temperatures are higher, Vancouver Island is currently experiencing drought conditions that have created higher-than-normal wildfire danger ratings in some areas. Preparing for wildfire is something everyone in BC needs to be thinking about right now.
With a focus on safety and wildfire prevention, Mosaic restricts access to the private forest lands it manages when the risk of wildfire is significant. Mosaic’s wildfire prevention efforts aim to reduce the chance of person-caused wildfires related to things like abandoned campfires, dropped cigarettes, or sparks from off-road vehicles. For current information about access to Mosaic forest lands, visit www.mosaicforests.com/access.
Mosaic also focuses on early detection of fires, conducting ground-based and aerial fire patrols during High and Extreme Fire Danger Class periods, and collecting weather data from its expansive network of weather stations throughout its land base to calculate fire danger risk and anticipate fire behaviour.
How to prepare for a wildfire
If your community is surrounded by forest, the BC Government offers these tips on preparing your home and family for wildfire:
Prepare an emergency kit.
Check for and remove fire hazards in and around your home. (Learn more at FireSmart BC)
Keep a good sprinkler in an accessible location.
Learn fire safety techniques and teach them to members of your family.
Have fire drills with your family on a regular basis.
Maintain first-aid supplies to treat the injured until help arrives.
Have an escape plan so that all family members know how to get out of the house quickly and safely.
Have an emergency plan so family members can contact each other if they are separated during an evacuation.
Ensure all family members are familiar with the technique of "STOP, DROP, AND ROLL" in case of clothes catching on fire.
Make sure every floor and all sleeping areas have smoke detectors.
If you see a wildfire approaching your home
If you see a fire approaching your home or community, report it immediately to 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on your cell phone. If it is safe, and there is time before the fire arrives, you should take the following action:
Close all windows and doors in the house.
Cover vents, windows, and other house openings with duct tape and/or precut pieces of plywood.
Park your vehicle, positioned forward out of the driveway. Keep car windows closed and have your valuables already packed in your car.
Turn off propane or natural gas. Move any propane barbeques away from structures.
Turn on the lights in the house, porch, garage and yard.
Place a ladder to the roof in the front of the house.
Put lawn sprinklers on the roof of the house and turn on the water.
Move all combustibles away from the house, including firewood and lawn furniture.
Evacuate your family and pets to a safe location.
Stay tuned to your local radio station for up-to-date information on the fire and possible road closures.
This summer is proving a very hot, dry one with a significant risk of wildfire for most of BC. Take the time now to prepare your home and your family for wildfire. And if you see a wildfire, report it to 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on your cell phone. Public reporting is key to rapid response to wildfire.