Fire season starts off with a threat to First Nations

Three First Nations communities in the Interior of BC were put on evacuation alert after a large forest fire was reported near Pavilion Lake, 25 kilometres northeast of Lillooet, BC last month. While the blaze was quickly contained, fire officials say they are bracing for higher than expected number of fires in the area this summer.
Kevin Skrepnek, spokesperson for the Kamloops Fire Centre, one of six regional centres operated by the B.C. Forest Service’s Wildfire Management Branch, confirmed that the Pavilion Lake fire is no longer a potential threat to neighbouring Ts’kw’aylaxw First Nation communities; Marble Canyon 3 and Pavilion 3A and Pavilion 4.

He said it took crews nearly two days to contain the fire to the point where reserves were taken off evacuation alert.

“We still have crew out there but the fire has 100 per cent been contained, said Skrepnek.

The blaze, reported May 12, was believed to be human-caused. The fire covered 140 hectares and came within 1.5 kilometres of the Marble Canyon reserve at the time of containment May 13.

“It’s a pretty active area for forest fires,” Skrepnek explained of the fire zone near Lillooet.

“The terrain was steep. It was pretty difficult for crews to get to,” he added.

But six planes, 41 firefighters, three forest officials, five helicopters and numerous pieces of heavy equipment worked to contain the blaze.

Skrepnek said once the Ts’ka’aylaxw First Nation was notified of the alert, the community established ‘trigger lines’ monitoring the fires proximity to the area in the event that an evacuation order had to be made.

The Ts’kw’aylaxw First Nation could not be reached for comment.

Since April 1, 1,200 hectares have burned throughout B.C.

The Kamloops Fire Centre, which oversees Kamloops, Clearwater, Lillooet, Salmon Arm, Merritt, Vernon and Penticton fire zones, have reported 41 wildfires burning a total of 437 hectares of the region since April 1. All of these fires were human-caused.

“It’s pretty concerning,” said Skrepnek, adding that the high number of early season forest fires is a stark contrast to last year’s lower numbers and less hectares burned.

According to the Kamloops Fire Centre, 2011 saw the lowest incidence of fires in B.C. on record in 50 years. Last year 600 hectares were reported throughout the area for the entire year. Cooler, wetter weather is believed to have contributed to the lower summer fire rates, said Skrepnek.

Skrepnek also noted that 2009 saw the record highest number of hectares burned in the region and he says so far this year has hit comparable numbers.

However, despite a strong start to the fire season, Skrepnek says the trend can change.

“An important indication [determining forest fire probability in the area] is the amount of precipitation we get in the month of June,” he explained, adding that a wet June “always resets everything.”

But in light of the high fire rates to date, the Kamloops Fire Centre is not taking any chances. On May 15 the department restricted open fire burns in the region “to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect the public.”

This prohibition applies to all areas of the Kamloops Fire Centre.

It does not include the Clearwater and Salmon Arm fire zones were the ban is expected to commence June 15. The prohibition will remain in effect until Oct. 15, 2012, or until further notice.

Campfires are still permitted in the region but must be contained in size to half-metre high by a half-metre wide or smaller.