Two years ago, many North Quadra Island residents woke up to the sound of explosions. The pre-dusk sky had turned red. A house on Bold Point was engulfed in flames. When the RCMP arrived, they discovered the main power line was down. Three of the occupants were sent to the hospital with smoke inhalation. As this part of the island is protected by BC Wildfire Service, whose mandate does not include structures, no fire department came to their rescue. All that remained of their home was a chimney. While this is an area better known for its forests and abundant marine life, there are more than 250 properties. At their January 29, 2020, board meeting, the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) Board authorized a survey to determine if North Quadra residents want fire protection.
Continue reading Impending Survey: Do North Quadra Residents Want Fire Protection?Tag Archives: BC Wildfire Service
Tiber Bay: Outside the Protected Zone
Twenty years ago, Bill Friedel was embroiled in a night-long-battle to save a neighbouring Cortes Island property from fire. As they were in Tiber Bay, outside the protected area, the Cortes Island Fire Department did not intervene. One night last Spring, a downed power line “remained live for over 20 minutes and started several intense, small fires …” Luckily, these blazes were spotted before they spread. Tiber Bay is still outside the protected zone today and many residents are asking to be included in the Fire District.
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BC Wildfire Service Visited Cortes Island
By Roy L Hales
There was a time when fire fighting meant just that, Things have changed since the record breaking fire seasons of 2017 and 2018. British Columbia is now paying more attention to preventive measures and education. On May 4 a team from BC Wildfire Service visited Cortes Island.
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Fourth Day Mopping up the Read Island Fire
Cortes Radio News update – Though BC Wildfires is continuing to monitor the site, there is no longer an immediate threat and firefighters have been withdrawn from Strathcona Provincial Park. To the east there are still 21 people working within a 8 hectare burn site in the Discovery Islands. BC Wildfire spokesperson Donna MacPherson describes the fourth day mopping up the Read Island fire
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Update on Read Island Fire
Cortes Radio News update – Though the smoke appears to have died down, Jeanne Larsen of BC Wildfire says the Read Island fire still covers about 3 hectares and the situation remains unchanged since our last report. Crews are currently building a containment line around the fire.
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