Region Archives: Canada West

B.C.’s Chilcotin River is flowing once again after breaching a kilometre-long landslide that had barricaded it for five days, unleashing a surge of water laden with silt and timber that poses an uncertain new threat to beleaguered salmon runs currently sniffing out their spawning grounds. Officials have yet to determine any effects on salmon runs, but are prepared to intervene as soon as the river is safe. The emptying of the temporary 11-kilometre lake that formed behind the landslide dam was slower than worst-case scenario modelling, averting the need for mass evacuations downriver. …Dr. Scott Hinch, associate dean at the University of British Columbia’s Pacific Salmon Ecology and Conservation Laboratory is optimistic, saying the Chilko sockeye have the best swimming ability of any of the Fraser sockeye and has a broad thermal tolerance. Studies have found they also have more efficient hearts than other salmon populations. [A Globe and Mail subscription is required for full access]

BC United has pledged to create a “world-class” wildfire prevention and response institute in Kamloops if it forms government following the October election. At a news conference Tuesday morning, Todd Stone, BC United MLA for Kamloops-South Thompson, said the institute would have an initial funding amount of $78 million. Stone said the focus of the proposed institute would be to bring together the BC Wildfire Service, Thompson Rivers University and other post secondary institutions, local communities and First Nations to implement new technologies. “There’s different aspects of research being done by institutions around the province, but the private sector is the piece that’s largely missing from being at the table at the moment,” Stone said. “The institute that we’re announcing here would be largely focused on ensuring that there’s a very strong private component to the acceleration, of the adoption of new technologies, new approaches to wildfire fighting.”

The Hawaii Mars waterbomber is back to flying status. And its time in the Alberni Valley is winding down. The aerial firefighting tanker, owned by Coulson Aviation, took its first flight in eight years on Thursday, Aug. 1, surprising dozens of photographers, boaters and onlookers when a high-speed taxi turned into a takeoff. …Richard Mosdell, who runs Save the Mars program for the B.C. Aviation Museum, was in Port Alberni over the long weekend and said taxiing in the Mars “was just thrilling.” Fifty or 60 boats followed behind or alongside the waterbomber on Saturday, Aug. 3, he said. The waterbomber flew briefly on Sunday, Aug. 4, the same day Coulson hosted an event at the bomber base for more than 400 employees and family members. Coulson Aviation confirmed the Hawaii Mars will fly out of Sproat Lake on its final mission next Sunday, Aug. 11. both time and flight path are still to be determined.

…As the Jasper disaster continues to unfold, many Canadians are pointing fingers, looking to blame a single source for what happened. Some say it was the mountain pine beetle, which killed off significant sections of forest, leaving dry, dead trees. Others say not enough was done to thin the forest and build an effective fire break near town. The reality, however, is more complicated. Decades of highly effective fire suppression in and around national parks have left them more vulnerable to large fires, according to Pierre Martel, the director of national fire management for Parks Canada. …Research suggests logging leaves boreal forests more susceptible to fire from both lightning strikes and increased human activity in the woods. …Add in climate change, with its increased heat and chaotic precipitation, as well as dead trees from mountain pine beetles — themselves a byproduct of warmer winters and past forest management — and the conditions are prime for a devastating firestorm.

Jed Kaplan

…The University of Calgary’s Dr. Jed Kaplan — associate professor in the Department of Earth, Energy and Environment — spoke with the Gauntlet about the role of climate change, as well as the effects of land management and the natural forest ecosystem of Western Canada on the Jasper Wildfire Complex. Kaplan said, “the forests of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta and a large part of surrounding areas are adapted to fire. They are forests that have naturally burned for tens of thousands of years. That’s just a part of our product of the climates that we have here in summertime, where we often have periods of warm weather and dry conditions and also lightning strikes.” However, Kaplan also explained climate change has increased both the length of these hot dry seasons and the temperatures themselves, both of which contribute to increasing severity and frequency of wildfires.

SECWÉPEMC TERRITORY, BRITISH COLUMBIA — Splatsin te Secwépemculucw (Splatsin) and Tolko Industries Ltd. (Tolko) proudly announce the signing of a renewed relationship agreement — titled the “Mlkwátaka” (place where we come together) — which serves to support and advance this long-standing partnership built upon mutual trust and respect. The essence of the Mlkwátaka Agreement, evident in its name, lies in its mission to unite Splatsin and Tolko together on their continued journey of learning and growth. Splatsin and Tolko share a vision to advance innovative forest management practices while respecting and implementing Splatsin’s traditional laws, values and principles. Splatsin and Tolko have been collaborating on land management, forest management and business opportunities since 2008… “Our relationship with Tolko has been ongoing since the early 2000’s … how we work together is a model for co-management that we plan to implement throughout Splatsin area of caretaker responsibility,” says Kukpi7 Michael Christian.

A flood warning, flood watches and an evacuation order have been issued due to a landslide over the Chilcotin River near Farwell Canyon as the Province takes action with partners to keep people safe. On Wednesday, July 31, 2024, a landslide blocked the Chilcotin River, near Farwell Canyon, which feeds into the Fraser River. A sudden release of the water behind the landslide dam may cause rapid rises in river levels downstream along the Fraser River south to Hope. The Cariboo Regional District has issued an evacuation order due to the landslide. …Several helicopters have been dispatched through BC Wildfire Service to assist with search and rescue of people in the area. The River Forecast Centre has issued a flood warning for the Chilcotin River upstream of the landslide in the vicinity of Farewell Canyon and a flood watch for the Chilcotin River downstream of the landslide in the vicinity of Farewell Canyon. 

Additional coverage by the Canadian Press: ‘Massive’ B.C. landslide blocking river may burst, sending a torrent of water, debris

EDMONTON, Alberta — Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, with Todd Loewen, Minister of Forestry and Parks, announced a joint investment of over $57 million over five years under the Government of Canada’s Fighting and Managing Wildfires in a Changing Climate Program – Equipment Fund. This funding is already supporting Alberta’s efforts to purchase key wildland firefighting equipment as well as hire and train key personnel to enhance provincial readiness and capacity to prepare for and respond to wildland fires. So far, Alberta has purchased aircraft parts, general wildfire equipment including pumps and hoses, and telecommunications equipment. …The funding announced today will continue to enhance fire management efforts across Alberta by procuring and upgrading specialized wildland firefighting equipment and by hiring and training personnel to increase wildland fire preparedness and response efforts.

Peter Rusland

Dear North Cowichan Mayor Rob Douglas and council, and Premier David Eby: We are glad our forest ministry is not following council’s recent request to expedite forest-harvesting permits. Details are found in the Cowichan Citizen’s online post July 29, 2024. Our forests have been legally yet tragically decimated by generations of mismanagement in the name of profits and employment. That’s arguably why fibre supply — also subject to international pricing and other factors — is now growing so scarce. Speeding permitting would simply fast-track the end of what mature forests we have left in B.C., while eroding ecological values plus tourism potential. Forest-dependent communities such as ours surely must see the looming end of our struggling timber-based economy. We advise folks employed in forestry to begin mulling alternate jobs.

Lauchlan Fraser

Increased wildfire activity in BC has amplified the demand for safer, more effective recovery methods. Innovating approaches to tree planting and post-wildfire reclamation is vital for the future of BC’s landscape. “We’re trying to regrow forests quickly while also experiencing one of the greatest threats currently known, which is climate change,” says Dr. Lauchlan Fraser, core researcher at TRU’s Institute for Wildfire Science, Adaptation and Resiliency, professor in the department of Natural Resource Science and NSERC Industrial Research Chair in ecosystem reclamation. Fraser’s current research project focuses on optimizing tree seedpod performance to quickly restore ecosystems disturbed by wildfire. …The research is still underway, but the benefits of using drone technology in wildfire reclamation could be game changing with respect to recovery speed and safety. …Benefits also include gaining access to remote areas that otherwise may never be replanted.

The majority of old growth Cedar forest on Vancouver Island is gone. Logging, the climate crisis and, some say, government policies are hampering its recovery. Here is the story of the Cedar and what it means to the Kwakwaka’wakw people. …The Ministry of Forests states,“Red Cedar is included in harvesting activities in Northern Vancouver Island, and as a result is replanted more than other species to ensure sustainable forestry practices of this iconic species into the future.” …another reason to be planting 85 per cent more Cedar than “original” hemlock – Cedar tops the price list at $1,375 per 1,000 board feet. … “What I’ve noticed in Kwakwaka’wakw territories is that the Cedars are dying, every summer the boughs get a little bit more brown. They are dying because they thrive in a rainforest and our climate is rapidly changing into something different,” says N’alag̱ a / Kaaw Kuuna, Avis O’Brien, a Kwakwaka’wakw and Haida cultural empowerment worker.

As wildfires continue to impact communities and forest areas across Alberta, the provincial government is encouraging residents to consider joining the Alberta Wildfire Reservist Program. According to the province, the reservist program hires emergency firefighters if needed or other support staff in a variety of positions, including non-fire line roles such as stevedores, data entry, camp supervisors, and others. Contractors are also a critical part of Alberta Wildfire’s response, and those with heavy equipment such as bulldozers, excavators, water trucks, and carriers are encouraged to complete a contract offer process which ensures the province has access to additional heavy equipment if needed.

While Ottawa fixates on climate change rhetoric, their neglect of forest fire prevention has left Alberta’s landscapes vulnerable to devastation. Last week, a shining beacon of the beauty of our province was partially destroyed as a wildfire burned through the picturesque town of Jasper. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims. …But many people’s livelihoods have been wiped out. The question is how did this happen, and what could have been done to prevent it? Smokey Bear’s famous saying was: “Only you can prevent forest fires.” And, in this case, proactive measures certainly could have made a difference. Unfortunately, the entire federal government seems to have forgotten Smokey’s key point. Fire prevention on national park land is federal jurisdiction. …Ottawa needs to stay in its lane and focus on its own jurisdiction, and they need to stop blaming climate change for their own ineptitude.

The Category 1 (campfires) open burning prohibition will be rescinded in the Prince George and Northwest Fire Centres as of noon on Aug. 1. According to the BC Wildfire Service, fire danger is constantly being measured and campfire prohibitions may return in either region if conditions change. The current prohibition for any Category 2 and Category 3 open fires remains in effect. Although fire danger ratings have dropped due to recent rainfall and cooler temperatures, the BC Wildfire Service is reminding the public to still exercise caution.

JASPER – Parks Canada wants everyone to know that despite the wildfire scorching Jasper National Park, Bear 222 is OK. …The bear, fitted with a radio tracking collar, has been followed since the blaze began last week. …Despite the loss of about a third of the Jasper townsite, including homes and buildings, as well as the sorrow over the destruction of a beloved piece of Canadian landscape, experts say animals know how to protect themselves in a wildfire. “Fire is a natural process and we expect animals to find new places to live,” said James McCormick, Jasper’s human-wildlife coexistence specialist. Mark Boyce, a wildlife biologist at the University of Alberta, said Jasper’s animals know what to do when their home is on fire. “Most of the critters get out of the way,” he said. “The number of animals (killed) is usually pretty small. In general, it’s not a major source of mortality.”

Avatar Grove and recreational site was temporarily closed by Recreation Sites and Trails BC (RSTBC) in 2022, and trail maintenance has been disallowed since 2018 because the RSTBC had determined that safety and sustainability concerns must be addressed before reopening public access. In 2020, the RSTBC commissioned a Sustainable Forest Management Plan and Trail Redesign Plan to identify issues, provide solutions, and address safety and sustainability concerns. “Although I have never seen the Sustainable Forest Management Plan, I have heard it noted concerns about impacts from the high volume of recreational users and the need for a more robust trail system at Avatar,” Dan Quigley, a long-time resident of a summer property in Port Renfrew stated in a recent letter to various entities at RSTBC, Juan de Fuca Electoral Area director Al Wickheim, Langford-Juan de Fuca MLA Ravi Parmar, and BC Premier David Eby.