Forest wildfires which have the potential to threaten or destroy homes in a municipality are called INTERFACE wildfires or URBAN/RURAL INTERFACE FIRE INCIDENTS. A Community Wildfire Protection Plan is a document which, if implemented, will reduce the risk of wildfire to homeowners, and will also reduce the risk to firefighters who will be called in to fight an interface fire. As well, having a wildfire protection plan in place increases the likelihood that firefighters can succeed in saving your home and property.

The Kelowna, Cranbrook and Barrier area forest fires of 2003 clearly demonstrated the vulnerability of communities located next to forested areas. These communities suffered the loss of many homes within their municipal boundaries, largely as a result of ember showers and fire brands blowing on to private property as the wildfire front advanced. 

This experience prompted a significant effort on the part of the provincial and federal governments to identify the risks of wildfires to many rural communities in BC and to develop strategies for communities to prepare for such an event. In 2004 John Cathro, a local forester, prepared a comprehensive report to guide planning for an interface fire event in Kaslo.

The Home Owners FireSmart Manual – Protect your home from Wildfire has been made widely available to the public. It is important for all home owners in the Kaslo Fire Protection Area to assess the SAFETY of their homes by referring to this manual and to take actions which may prevent the loss of their home should a forest wildfire event occur.

Of equal importance, is the responsibility of the Village of Kaslo to commit to being a FireSmart Community. A Community Wildfire Protection Plan for the Kaslo Fire Protection Area was developed in 2006/2007 which outlined Community FireSmart recommendations. Kaslo is ranked as a community which is at high to extreme risk of serious fire damage to homes should a wildfire start burning within 1.5 to 5 kilometres of the Kaslo interface fire area. Such a forest fire could result in showers of hot embers and fire brands landing throughout the municipality causing multiple fire ignitions. Should this occur, the Kaslo Fire Department would be overwhelmed.

In June of this year a few local people with significant forest fire fighting experience, got together and reviewed the recommendations of the Community Wildfire Protection Plan. The Plan was also reviewed by the Kaslo Fire Chief. From this review it became apparent that forest fire fuel management activities could be undertaken on public municipal lands and adjacent crown lands. These actions could significantly reduce the impact to Kaslo of an interface wildfire event.

What’s Involved Operationally?

Interface forest fuel management activities include:

             1) Reducing the amount of dead woody debris present on the forest floor by cutting it into shorter lengths, then piling and burning or chipping this material. 

            2) Cutting down small trees and saplings which then would be piled and chipped or burned. 

            3) Pruning, to a height of 3 metres, the branches of large coniferous trees. NO logging of merchantable trees will occur.

These actions significantly reduce the ability of a forest fire to spread rapidly across the forest floor and upwards into the crowns of large coniferous trees. After carrying out these activities the forest has a park-like appearance. Information from the following web site was used in developing Kaslo plan: http://www.fmf.ca/FSFW/FSFW_report1.pdf

One of the Benefits

In order to carry out the fuel modification activities, a trail system would be established throughout the area. These trails provide two important functions: Forest fire fighting crews can operate from these trails safely, and crews will have readymade access for the deployment of water sprinkling systems to slow down an advancing forest fire. In fact fire fighters may be able to suppress and extinguish the fire before it reaches private property and homes. For me an important factor is that these trails become part of Kaslo’s public walking trail system.

Where Would the Money Come From to Pay for Forest Fuel Modification Activities?

Progressive Forest Management has been able to secure funding in the amount of $192,500 from the Community Development Trust – Job Opportunity Program.  This fall and winter five forest workers will be employed for forest fuel management activities. The workers will be paid $18.00/hr and the project will run from October to March 31^st with the possibility of an extension. There is a possibility the Village of Kaslo will commit to becoming a FireSmart Community. If they do and they partner with Progressive Forest Management, the Village of Kaslo could apply to the Union of BC Municipalities for a matching grant of $192,500. This will enable the creation of a further five jobs; the length of trail built will increase, as well as the amount of forest area treated to reduce wildfire hazard.

Kaslo needs to become a FireSmart Community and if you would like to see this Community Wildfire Protection Plan implemented, more jobs created and the trail system expanded, become involved and informed. For further information on Kaslo’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan, please review the documents on the following link: http://www.rdck.bc.ca/publicinfo/community_wildfire_protection_plans/kaslo_fire_protection_area.html