By Chad Klassen

Story of fire, devastating 2017 season on display at Kamloops Museum

Jun 15, 2018 | 3:40 PM

KAMLOOPS — There’s no doubt the 2017 wildfire season will be a lasting memory – the biggest wildfire year on record with 1.2 million hectares burned across the province, including more than 200,000 hectares in the Kamloops Fire Centre covering the Southern Interior. 

The devastation inspired the Kamloops Museum to put together an exhibit on fire. 

“We wanted to speak to the issue of fire here because it’s a recurring issue. Not all years are going to be like last year, but we want to speak to it through a historical lense and look at some of the agencies that contribute to managing fire in the region,” said Kamloops Museum curator Matt Macintosh.

There are displays – both current and vintage – from the B.C. Wildfire Service, including uniforms and tools used in the backcountry to suppress the flames.  

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Kamloops Fire Rescue is featured, including an old leather bucket that was used to fight fires in the 1800s. There’s also a tank wagon used in the early 20th century to put out fires. 

“It’s a really heavy tank suspending, and they would’ve been pulling it over mud, rocks, snow, and by the time they got there, they were presumably pretty tired,” noted Macintosh. 

The goal of this “Ruin & Renewal” exhibit is not only to show the history of fire but also to give people affected by the 2017 fires a voice with a station that can record and play people’s stories. 

“I think we’re hoping that people walk away from it with a sophisticated understanding of fire, and take the steps they need to fire-proof their house, for instance, and just understand that it’s here.”