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
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
Blind Sask. boy heading to international braille competition hopes to increase accessibility for visually impaired
A Saskatchewan boy who qualified for an international braille competition in Los Angeles next month hopes he can inspire change in his home province.
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.