Credit: Canadian Press

By Mel Rothenburger

ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: Urgency needed to get a new plan for fighting wildfires in 2022

Sep 13, 2021 | 4:30 AM

KAMLOOPS — AS SUMMER WANES, the heat waves and devastation of the 2021 wildfire season are already beginning to fade from top of mind, even though fires are still burning and many evacuees are only beginning the long process of rebuilding.

It’s not too early, though, to start planning for next year and the years beyond. Everyone, including Premier Horgan, appears to agree that if this year’s wildfires proved one thing it’s that we need a new plan.

Not adjustments and upgrades to previous plans, but big moves to more effectively deal with what the last study in 2018 called “the new normal.”

If anything, that report understated the extent of what was facing us. It didn’t contemplate major changes to the resources used against the fires, assuming the BC Wildfire Service, contractors and First Nations would continue to be the frontline defenders on a seasonal basis.

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But this year has shown the limitations of the mass evacuation strategy that removes some of the most knowledgeable people who are best suited to being first responders to the fires — that is, local residents, especially in rural areas — from the scene.

And rumours and war stories have abounded about wildfires that could have been stopped quickly if red tape hadn’t gotten in the way.

I mentioned earlier in the summer a very different strategy being used in Australia. They call it the “stay and defend or leave early” policy. Property owners either leave well before a fire reaches them or train and make preparations to protect homes and survive a fire front when it moves through.

It might not be practical everywhere in North America but it’s worth considering. Others call for a year-round wildfire force and a fleet of B.C.-owned air tankers.

Finding the right approach will be time-consuming and costly, and that’s why the premier should establish the review right now rather than wait until the last ember of this year’s wildfires has died.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops and a retired newspaper editor. He is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a director on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District board. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.