More than firefighters: B.C. chief urges home preparation for wildfire season
As the wildfire season ramps up and a pair of evacuation alerts are now in place, one of British Columbia’s top fire officials is making a personal appeal to the public to take some simple steps that could safeguard their homes.
Jason Brolund, the fire chief for West Kelowna, earned widespread acclaim and respect for his clear communication and calm leadership as homes in his community were consumed by flames, and it’s that experience that has him urging his constituents and others to take a few hours to do what firefighters can’t.
“We know from last summer that FireSmart (planning) works, we have proof now where it has saved homes,” he said in a one-on-one interview with CTV News. “And it’s tough to hear, but we have proof where homes are lost because simple things weren't done around those homes, from a FireSmart perspective.”
The FireSmart program was launched several years ago and is helmed by representatives from provincial and municipal agencies working to educate the public about the behaviours, habits and materials that can put their homes and businesses at risk. Cedar shakes and shingles, straw door mats, and woodpiles stored against exterior walls are all no-nos, for example.
FireSmart officials are among the 800 structural and wildland firefighters, provincial and municipal representatives and others who’ve gathered in Prince George for a conference to plan for the upcoming season and train on how best to work together during what’s expected to be another brutal wildfire season after a prolonged drought and exceptionally low snowpack.
“It's pretty clearly off to an early start and that is a concern, that's why we've taken the steps to prepare,” said forests minister, Bruce Ralston. “We've leased more equipment -- helicopters, aircraft -- we've hired more people… We've dramatically changed the policy for prescribed burns and there are many more prescribed burns taking place.”
While the province does its part to prepare, Brolund is hopeful the work of implementing the recommendations of an expert task force will begin soon, because there aren’t any other alternatives.
“We can't stop building homes in our communities,” he said. “And we can’t control the weather, so how can we break the cycle and encourage people to make the changes that have to be made so we can live with wildfire going forward?”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From AI running wild to collapsing ecosystems, government report outlines future disruptions
From artificial intelligence running wild to collapsing ecosystems, a new Canadian government report outlines 35 disruptions that could rattle the country in the near future.
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton hospitalized after prison attack
British Columbia serial killer Robert Pickton was attacked and sustained life-threatening injuries in a Quebec prison Sunday in what officials described as a 'major assault.'
opinion Tom Mulcair: With Trudeau spiralling, Mark Carney waits in the wings
In his latest column for CTVNews.ca, former NDP leader Tom Mulcair argues that if there's an unofficial frontrunner in the eventual race to replace Justin Trudeau as Liberal leader, it has to be former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney.
Toronto Blue Jays fan struck by 110 m.p.h foul ball offered tickets, signed baseball by team
The Toronto Blue Jays have offered tickets and a signed baseball to a fan who says she was struck in the face by a 110 m.p.h (177 km/h) foul ball at Friday’s game.
Matthew Perry's death is being investigated over ketamine level found in actor's blood, reports say
An investigation has been opened into the death of Matthew Perry and how the “Friends” actor received the anesthetic ketamine, which was ruled a contributing factor in his death.
OPP continues to investigate boat collision north of Kingston, Ont. that left 3 people dead
Ontario Provincial Police continue to investigate a long weekend fatal boat collision on Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont.
Police in Ontario say suspects charged in armed home invasion near Toronto part of 'larger criminal network'
Police in Ontario say a group of suspects charged in an armed home invasion north of Toronto last year were driving a vehicle stolen in a carjacking in Calgary just one month earlier.
Stolen septic truck swerves through traffic, spike belt needed to stop it: Manitoba RCMP
A 29-year-old woman has been charged after police say she stole a septic truck from a Manitoba community and drove erratically on the highway.
Orphan orca's extended family spotted off northeast side of Vancouver Island
Members of a killer whale pod related to an orphan orca calf that escaped a remote British Columbia tidal lagoon last month have been spotted off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island.