• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Caramel & Parsley
  • Gardening
    • How To's
    • Bees
    • Vegetables
    • Fruit
    • Flowers
    • Pests
  • Recipes
    • Canning
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups & Stews
  • Health
  • About
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Gardening
  • Recipes
  • Health
  • About
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Environment

    Forest Fires a Growing Concern in 2015

    Published 17 June 2015 by Liz Gardner | Leave a Comment

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email

    Forest fires are not new here in the West Coast of Canada but with low snow levels and light spring rains this year and a dry summer to follow there is an expected abnormal high risk for forest fires in B.C. this summer. Growing up in Australia with very hot, dry summers there is an awareness of bush and grass fires always present. Australia's most disastrous fire tragedy was in my home state of Victoria - Black Saturday in 2009 with the tragic loss of many lives and hundreds injured as well as loss of property and lives changed forever.

    Be cautious and protect our forests
    Be cautious and protect our forests

    Forest Fire Environment

    In May and June while travelling through the Interior of B.C, it was obvious the forests are very dry and there are many dead trees killed by the Mountain Pine beetle epidemic and spruce beetle providing highly flammable tinder to feed forest fires. With this combination of factors even though creeks are flowing fast with snow run off, because the snow packs on the mountains are unusually low some areas are much drier than others.

    Early in May, an out of control fire in northern BC at Bobtail Lake burned over 25,569.0 hectares, requiring the evacuation of  80 people, fortunately with no loss of life.  At the time of writing there is a forest fire burning at Lytton, B.C.  and a more recent grass fire in Saanich, B.C. is now under control. This is very early in the season to have this many major fires in the past month.

    Beetle kill trees providing fuel for forest fires - Central Interior May 2015
    Beetle kill trees, standing and fallen, providing fuel for potential forest fires - Central Interior May 2015

    In case of a Forest Fire

    What you need to know before heading out on vacation or to the summer cottage:

    1. It is extremely important if you live in a high risk area to have an evacuation plan in case of a fire
    2. Summer vacationers be ready to leave your cottage at any time - plan a central meeting point and map out an escape route with your family
    3. Advise family, friends or local RCMPolice if you are backpacking in an unpopulated area
    4. Locate the closest medical clinic or hospital in your area
    5. Landscaping around your home - it is recommended that home owners do not store combustible items in and around your home and garage and clear underbrush of dry high grass and dead trees
    6. Have working hoses and water supply available
    7. Check with local fire authorities - here is  B.C. Wildfire emergency  information including fire danger ratings
    8. See links for ideas for Emergency Kits
    Local birddog spotter plane used in fire spotting
    Local birddog spotter plane used in wildfire locating

    Forest fires & Climate Change

    Climate change with hotter & drier summers, high beetle kill tree debris, low snow pack this past winter all heighten the potential of a very high fire risk. People who live in isolated or country areas should be ready to leave as temperatures are already unseasonably high throughout the province.

    Be mindful and informed of local area forest fires and be ready to evacuate you and your family early and quickly. Keep up-to-date with fires and conditions by following B.C. Forest Fire information on Facebook.

    Be aware and stay safe

    • To report a wildfire in British Columbia call 1-800-663-555 or *5555 from a cell phone
    • To phone RCMPolice emergency only  call 9 - 1 - 1
    Out of control slashburn wildfire in previously logged area - northern B.C. 2006
    Out of control slash burn wildfire in logged area - northern B.C. 2006

    Links and references:

    • National Fire Center Predictive Services potential fire outlook for Summer 2015
    • All current wildfires in B.C.
    • Fire Prohibitions and Area Restrictions
    • Canadian Wildland Fire Report
    • Check air quality especially if fires are near where you live
    • Livestock, wildlife & habitat impacted by fires
    • There are many ways to fight forest fires including aerial firefighting
    • Climate change and fires
    • We can expect more wildfires in Western Canada & USA
    • B.C. Wildfire contact information
    • B.C. Emergency information and preparedness
    • CFA, Victoria, Australia fire emergency kit & information
    • Bushfire Survival Kit from South Australia Country Fire Service
    • "Black Saturday's Tragedy - Australia's Worse Natural Disaster Ever" published by Glenvale School, Lilydale, 2009
    • "Fire Wise, Fire-safe How to survive a Bushfire" by Richard Whitaker, 2004, New Holland Publishers Australia
    Always ensure your campfire is completely extinguished as many wildfires are caused by humans
    Always make sure your campfire is completely extinguished as many wildfires are caused by human neglect or accident

     

     

    More Environment

    • All Time Top Posts - Gardening!
    • Sea Wolf
      A Visit to the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre
    • Peaceful ocean waters at low tide
      Staying "cool" at Home during a Heat Wave
    • Top Tweets in 2020
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email

    Filed Under: Environment

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Liz! I have been a happy gardener all my life. My goal on this blog is to share tips and resources to help you learn how to garden too. Passionate about all things "healthy". Life long learner and asker of "how".

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Vegetable gardening on a steep slope
      Vegetable Gardening on a Steep Slope
    • Fragrant fresh Meyer lemons growing at home
      Growing Citrus Trees in Lower Mainland, B.C
    • The Great Potato Debate ~ which variety to grow
    • Bright yellow kale flowers attract bees & hummingbirds
      4 Reasons to Leave Kale to Winter-Over

    Gardening

    • Small Fruits for the Home Garden
    • Devan Greenhouses - A "Destination Garden Centre"
    • Leah's Fabulous 2nd Year Vegetable Garden
      An Incredible 2nd Year Vegetable Garden
    • Save Dandelions for the Bees
    See more Gardening →

    Recipes

    • Three Quick & Easy Dinners to Make
    • Chicken Cacciatore
      Easy to Make Chicken Cacciatore
    • Roast Butternut Squash Soup - the best!
    • Home grown beetroot - No chemicals added
      Beet or Borscht Soup - An easy to make Meal
    See more Recipes →

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Start Here

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    Thanks for stopping by!

    Copyright © 2023 · Caramel & Parsley
    Disclaimer & Copyright