***Original published in South Mountain Press, Sept 28, 2018***
Remain Fire Smart even in Fall
It was a hot, dry summer in the local region and thankfully the RMs and RMNP did not have to contend with any major blazes. But just because the evenings are cooler and there has been a bit of fall moisture does not mean that area residents can let their guard down.
John Braschuk, Erickson’s Fire Chief and RMNP’s Fire Management Officer, Reade Tereck explained how their organizations prevent and respond to fire incidents.
- RMNP and the surrounding area got tinder dry this summer and seemed primed for another fire event like the 1980 fire that swept through the Park. What have the fire agencies done to mitigate damaging fires?
- John Braschuk: We have said this for years, it could happen again. But with controlled burns and some smaller fires in past years and now some fire guard management around the area and within the Park does help.
- Reade Tereck: The Park practices Landscape Level Management using prescribed burns in areas designated for rejuvenation. Where parts of the Park have matured to 30 years or more, and after taking proper precautions, our staff will conduct a burn like the one earlier this spring close to Lake Audy.
- How can the average person be ‘Fire Smart’ and how do fire departments prepare for larger incidents?
- John Braschuk: There are so many ways for fire to start and we can only do so much prevention. We need support and cooperation of all area residences to be fire smart. That being said, obey fire bans please. That’s bonfires also and that includes all cottage areas when the ban is on. Also keep wood piles far away and eavestroughs clean of debris. Consider in high hazard areas a tin roof for your next roof replacement and keep trees away from your home if at all possible. In Onanole, Sean Frey is our go-to guy for the ‘Fire Smart Program’ and he has done some videos for the area on Youtube and has received training a couple years ago. We also cooperatively place fire bans with other jurisdictions. There can be fire hazards or accidents from farming machinery or construction equipment catching fire and lightning strikes are very common. Of course, careless humans light bonfires when fire bans are on and quads can cause fires. The risk is always a possibility and we depend on all agencies when it does happen from near and far.
- Reade Tereck: The Park only had to deal with 4 minor fires so far this season. But if conditions created a larger event, we were ready. We regularly conduct table top exercises and mutual training with the various agencies.
- How do the various fire departments respond when there is a major fire?
- John Braschuk: We experienced this during the spring of 2017 in the Municipality of Clanwilliam-Erickson. Along the Park line, we had a major wildland fire that also went into RMNP. We all worked together and we had 6 fire departments including Parks Canada and the Office of the Fire Commissioner and a water bomber on standby if it was required within the first 1-2 hours. Manitoba has a great system and support group. With Mutual aid and working with Parks Canada and their fire crew, we are very well prepared and equipped. But as with any incident, we could be limited for resources as a hot, dry day can produce multiple fires. Resources throughout the whole province this spring were out in full force. For example, out of 9 local departments only 1-2 departments were left to respond to any incident in the whole district. That is an area from Oak River to Rivers, north to Sandy Lake and Minnedosa to RMNP South boundary.
- Reade Tereck: Local area fire departments and Parks Canada use the concept of Unified Command when a major fire involves several jurisdictions. The role of incident commander is shared by two or more individuals and we have found that it works well when numerous stations are involved.
- Most of the country’s attention and resources were focused on the BC forest fires. If a significant fire started in the area, are there enough resources such as heavy equipment and water bombers available to deal with it?
- John Braschuck: We do have equipment from all fire departments and Parks Canada fire crew and we rely on heavy equipment such as caterpillars, loaders and track hoes from our local contractors and expand farther out of our area as necessary.
- How long would it take to bring these resources to bear?
- John Braschuck: With the resources and preparation all agencies do, we can deploy backup immediately and heavy equipment if needed within hours. We do this on a regular basis and have very good results with local contractors responding to our heavy equipment needs. They know they may be needed and have given fire departments priority for years and we are very thankful.
- Where would the fire fighters/water bombers get their water from?
- John Braschuck: In our RM, Otter Lake is our go-to lake if needed.
- Reade Tereck: If there is a need for water bombing, a Bird Dog plane determines the best lake for the bombers to scoop from. Otter Lake runs east-west so it would not be suitable if there were strong north or south crosswinds and they might have to utilize Clear Lake instead.
- How does the RM or Park determine if there will be a fire ban and when does fire season end?
- John Braschuck: Weather is very unpredictable. A good rain can help but a few days of hot dry winds can return us to an extreme hazard very quickly in the spring or fall seasons.
- Reade Tereck: The Park Fire Management team monitors the weather and uses fire indices to determine the fire risk and levels of restrictions which may include closing down the back country in extreme circumstances. Fire season used to run from April 1st to November 1st but there has been an increase in the length of that period and we are seeing more of a Fall fire risk. We do not let our guard down until the first major snowfall.
Blair is a personification of a ‘Jack of All Trades and Master of None’. He has held several careers and has all the T-shirts. Time to add the title Blogger to the list.