Powerline above Scotch and Lee Creek (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

FOREST PRACTICES BOARD

Back burn that preceded North Shuswap devastation leads to Forest Practices complaint

Oct 26, 2023 | 5:30 PM

SCOTCH CREEK B.C. — On August 17, 2023 the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) ignited a 10-kilometre back burn above Scotch Creek and Lee Creek. While the service has called it a success, some residents are blaming it for the devastation that followed the next day.

Throughout Scotch Creek and Lee Creek, 176 structures were completely lost to the Bush Creek East wildfire, with 50 others damaged.

“At 10:00 on the night of the 17th, the night when they did the aerial ignition, the BC Wildfire Service announced that their controlled burn was a success,” said Lee Creek resident Jim Cooperman. “The next day people woke up with the news that, ‘Oh, everything is fine. We don’t have to worry now.’ So there was no effort to get ready to evacuate.”

The plan from the BCWS was to utilize the power line as a natural fire break. It was a strategy designed to protect homes that Cooperman says ultimately failed.

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“But in fact, the power line was covered in dead brush because BC Hydro had slashed this area in the spring. When the wind shifted and the fire hit this power line, instead of becoming a fire break it became a fire conduit. The fire tore down the power line and headed to communities,” said Cooperman.

While he admits the back burn did begin progressing toward the original wildfire, a shift in winds led to the fire breaking the lines and encroaching on the communities below.

“In this case, it was obvious that they weren’t going to be able to control the fire when they lit the back burn just hours before a major wind storm,” said Cooperman. “And it was obvious that they weren’t improving public safety. In fact, they were endangering the public by lighting the back burn.”

To that extent Cooperman has filed a complaint with the BC Forest Practices Board which has launched an investigation into the controlled burn.

“I put together a complaint with four components, one of them being the lighting of this back burn was an example of gross negligence on behalf of the BC Wildfire Service. And that is the only complaint that they can investigate,” said Cooperman, noting the board can only investigate actions that contravene the wildfire act.

The hope for Cooperman is the Forest Practices Board agrees with his findings on the back burn, and that leads to substantive changes in the wildfire service.

“Hopefully that will lead to some major changes and a major shakeup within the BC Wildfire Service because it’s obvious that fires are not being fought properly in this province or we wouldn’t have so many homes being burned down,” added Cooperman.

The fire burned to within feet of Cooperman’s home, but thanks to fire smart practices, the home was saved. With climate change affecting the frequency and severity of wildfires around the globe, he says there is no time to waste.

“In the future, we are going to see more fires and more droughts and more extreme weather. The only way we can prepare ourselves is to work on adaptation measures. Now it is a question of survival,” stated Cooperman.

The BC Wildfire Service is participating in the investigation but did could not comment further when contacted by CFJC News as the investigation is open and ongoing.