For immediate release

June 2, 2011

Government must fulfill its obligations to protect local communities
from wildfire: Macdonald

VICTORIA – The BC Liberal government has failed in its responsibility to complete the necessary work to protect local communities from wildfire, says Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald.

In Question Period yesterday, Macdonald raised his concerns with the Minister of Forests, Mines and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson.

“With the recent events in Slave Lake, Alberta, our minds are very much on the dangers of wildfire to many of our communities,” said Macdonald.  “Again we see just how much damage can be done when wildfire sweeps through a community.”

In recent memory, the most devastating interface fire was in Kelowna in the summer of 2003, an event that caused the government to commission the Filmon Report which contained a list of recommendations to protect communities in future fire seasons.

The government asked Gary Filmon, former Manitoba Premier and author of the report, to work quickly so that the bulk of the recommendations in the report could be actioned before the onset of the next fire season.  But 7 years after the release of the report, only 2% of the interface area identified for fuel management has been treated.

“Government has a responsibility to protect communities at risk from wildfire.  Treatment that has been done to date has not even begun to provide real protection for homeowners,” continued Macdonald.  “The fire season in British Columbia is getting underway, and communities are still being left vulnerable because of this government’s inaction.”

“All the communities that I represent are surrounded by crown lands that are at risk for wildfire so this is an issue that is very close to home.  Communities such as Kimberley and Revelstoke have worked hard to address their portion of responsibility to address fuel management, but they can’t make real progress without this government doing its part.

“It is time for this government to commit to a new strategy and new sense of urgency to deal with fuel management in the interface forest.”

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BACKGROUNDER:

2003 Firestorm Provincial Review (Filmon Report),

http://www.2003firestorm.gov.bc.ca/firestormreport/FirestormReport.pdf

Wednesday, June 1, 2011, afternoon, Question Period (Hansard):

GOVERNMENT ACTION ON
WILDFIRE PREVENTION

N. Macdonald: In Golden and other B.C. border communities there are fundraisers to help families displaced by the recent firestorm in Slave Lake, Alberta. As the wildfire season in British Columbia gets underway, we are reminded of how vulnerable our communities are. In early 2004 recommendations on interface fuel management were made to reduce the risk of wildfire to our communities.

To the minister responsible: is it acceptable to the minister that after seven years only 2 percent of the interface area identified for fuel management has been treated?

Hon. S. Thomson: Thank you for the question, and it does provide me the opportunity, firstly, to recognize the great work of our firefighters — the men and women of our firefighting service. Over 600 of our firefighters are working in Alberta, working in rotation. We've also just deployed a crew into the Yukon and Alaska to help out our neighbours. So this is great work being done by our firefighter service.

We take the issue of our wildfire threat very, very seriously. That's why I was very pleased recently to be able to announce $25 million additional support for the community wildfire mitigation program. That's $25 million over two years for communities in British Columbia, in partnership through UBCM.

We'll continue to work very closely with local governments and with First Nations in addressing the wildfire threat to our communities.

Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental.

N. Macdonald: Just so members of the House understand, $50 million was spent over seven years to get 2 percent of the work done, and I think all members would understand that an additional $25 million is not going to complete the job.

These are serious issues. We saw similar devastation from wildfire in Kelowna. That was eight years ago. At that time, Gary Filmon was requested by the government to promptly provide a report with recommendations intended to mitigate risks to communities.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

N. Macdonald: The government promised that these recommendations would be implemented immediately. The government has a responsibility to protect communities at risk from wildfire. Treatment that has been done to date has not even begun to protect those communities.

To the minister: will he commit to a new strategy and a new sense of urgency to deal with fuel management in the interface forest?

Hon. S. Thomson: Under the community wildfire management program, as the member opposite referenced — $37 million to communities, in partnership with communities. That's leveraged investment in the communities. Mr. Speaker, 240 communities and First Nations have got plans that are in place or being implemented, with the additional funding, $25 million over two years, working in partnership with local communities, with First Nations. We will continue to work with them in the wildfire management program.

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In addition, our wildfire management branch works with communities in terms of training.

We provided support through the job opportunities fund, in partnership with the federal government, in terms of providing additional training and support. We provided support for purchase of infrastructure protection devices. We'll continue to work very closely with local governments as we protect families and First Nation communities in British Columbia.