The Burgess Creek Wildfire, south of Quesnel, broke out on April 20. (BC Wildfire Service photo)

By Pete McIntyre

Bold action needed

Opposition critic calls for ‘complete overhaul’ on dealing with wildfires

Apr 29, 2024 | 3:00 PM

B.C.’s Opposition party is calling for urgent action by the NDP government to stop what is shaping up to potentially be another devastating wildfire season in the province.

Lorne Doerkson, BC United MLA for Cariboo-Chilcotin and the Opposition critic for Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, told the Legislature Monday that David Eby’s government has failed to prepare for the threat.

He said the province needs to start doing things differently.

“It is time for bold action so we don’t keep seeing the same level of devastation year after year,” Doerkson said.

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He said B.C. needs a “complete overhaul” of how it prepares for, responds to, and recovers from wildfires.

“The three main pillars of wildfire response need to be re-evaluated: technological solutions and fire response; preventative measures and community protection and recovery, and financial assistance.”

Doerkson said fire prevention is “incredibly important, but often neglected.”

“We need increased spending on FireSmart and other forms of prevention,” he commented.

The shadow critic also called for grant funding to local governments to be stream-lined, instead of requiring annual grant applications.

“Getting rid of unnecessary bureaucracy and red tape like this enables local governments to respond more swiftly. With wildfires, time is obviously of the essence.”

Doerkson is also calling on the government to “modernize” the way fires are fought and the tools that are used.

“And to do this we must expand our provincial aircraft fleet.”

Doerkson also wants to see “cutting edge, made in B.C. technological solutions” like suppression technology, specialized drones, mass water delivery systems and night vision technology to allow fire crews to conduct fire attacks at the best times such as at night or in the early morning.

The first-term MLA from Williams Lake would like to see local fire departments be better equipped and empowered including First Nations and community members.

“Local expertise and local resources, including the knowledge of First Nations are absolutely critical. Our locals know best about their communities and we absolutely need to listen to them.”

Doerkson also recommends using local contractors to respond to fires to start suppression activities sooner

He also called for more support for local fire departments, some of which he says get no funding at all.

Doerkson said while its only late April, wildfire season is already “upon us,” noting B.C. has seen 44 new fires in the past week, 41 of them suspected to be human-caused.

That incudes the large Burgess Creek fire south of Quesnel which is now being held.

The first evacuation order of the fire season was issued last week to residents in Chetwynd due to the Wildmare fire which is also now being held.

Premier David Eby announced the formation of an expert task force last fall that is focused on emergencies.

When it comes to wildfires, Eby said the task force is focused on:

• Enhancing BC Wildfire Predictive Services current technology, including the use of artificial intelligence and other technologies
• Planning for incorporation of local volunteer resources for wildfire response
• Improving integration of rural and municipal fire departments into the BC Wildfire Service response in the wildland urban interface
• Updating the Wildfire Emergency Response Strategy for B.C.
• Strengthening community participation in all disciplines of FireSmart BC™
• Expanding opportunities in wildfire prevention programs
• Improving Evacuees Registration Assistance (ERA) tool to provide enhanced support for evacuees
• Modernizing community delivery of Emergency Support Services, including post-wildfire support
• Identifying opportunities to assist First Nations and local authorities improve evacuation orders and alerts awareness and compliance