Read Island’s 2018 ‘out of control’ wildfire spread over 8 hectares. According to the Campbell River Mirror, the 2019 blaze consumed 34 hectares. The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) is concerned about the potential for fires on some of the neighbouring islands in the Surge Narrows as well. After consultation with Read Island residents, on March 12, 2020 their protection plan was amended to become the Surge Narrows Community Wildfire Protection Plan. 

Suavair’s CWPPs

“The purpose of CWPPs are to identify the wildfire risks within and surrounding Read Island / Surge Narrows, to describe the potential consequences if a wildfire was to impact the community and to examine possible ways to reduce wildfire risk. This CWPP provides an updated assessment of the wildfire risk to the area. The goal is to define the threat to human life, property, and critical infrastructure from wildfires within the AOI defined around the Village; identify measures necessary to mitigate those threats; and outline an action plan to implement those measures,”  emailed Colin Filliter, Operations Manager for  Suavair.

He added, “Although SuavAir is known for being a drone company, these CWPPs have a minor drone component to them.  Our staff working on this project are registered professional foresters (RPFs) who are using that skillset to develop the reports and recommendations.  These were developed from meeting with the communities to gather their input, implementing best wildfire practices, and internal mapping analysis from data collected or provided from the BC Wildfire Service. Final CWPP reports and recommendations will be available online on the SRD website, as well as creating online YouTube videos.”

He added that SuavAir is currently writing CWPP’s for Gold River, Tahsis, Zeballos, Sawyard, Kyuquot, Nuchatlaht, and a broad-scale one for Electoral Area ‘A’ within the SRD.   

Cortes & Quadra Islands

B.A. Blackwell & Associates prepared the CWPPs for Quadra Island and Cortes Island in 2011.

Only the more populated southern portion of Quadra Island is currently protected by the Quadra Island Fire Department. While BC Wildfires is contracted to fight forest fires north of  Hyacinthe Bay, their mandate does not include habitations. Northern Quadra residents are currently awaiting the results of an SRD survey to see if the protected area should be expanded to include the entire island.

A similar situation exists on Cortes Island. The Strathcona Regional District first considered the possibility of extending the protected area to include Tiber Bay in 2014, and are still discussing the issue. Like Northern Cortes Island, it currently falls within the mandate of BC Wildfires.

Suavair’s Drones

Suavair’s drones are providing the SRD with aerial photography and high-resolution mapping with drones. They have also participated in cross-training exercises with the Strathcona Regional District, Comox Valley Regional District, and BC Wildfire Service to prepare for wildfires, flooding, a tsunami, and/or an earthquake, etc

Should you have any comments or questions, contact Suavair at colin.filliter@suavair.com or 250-830-8849