Tag Archives: Sonora Island Wildfires

Development, Politics

‘Should I stay or should I go?’ – Three Decisions for Area C

Editor’s note: Cortes Island’s Director was among those whose vote decided the issue in in all three of the following items.

 “So in 1981 the Clash put out their classic single, ‘Should we stay, or should we go?’ and here I am with you, 41 years later asking you the same question. Should we stay with this initiative or should we take no action and leave it alone,” said Shaun Koopman, Protective Services Coordinator for the Strathcona Regional District.

He was telling the Board about the results of a recent survey in the Outer Discovery Islands, but he could have been talking about any of three Area C initiatives discussed at the Jan 11 meeting. 

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Disaster

Update on proposed Outer Discovery Islands Fire Brigade

A fire broke out at Diamond Bay on Sonora Island, on Thursday, August 12, 2021. It began as a structure fire, but spread into the tinder dry forest. The fire travelled rapidly upslope, threatening 30 other homes in the vicinity. Neighbouring residents converged at Diamond Bay and organized an ad hoc fire control effort. BC Wildfire Service arrived to take command. Four helicopters, a fire response boat and 17 provincial firefighters fought alongside ‘the local Owens Bay Fire Brigade‘ and by the morning of Sunday, August 15 the fire was officially ‘under control.’

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Disaster, Forests

Focusing on wildfire fuel mitigation

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The Cortes Forestry General Partnership is currently focusing on wildfire fuel mitigation strategies. 

While none have been large, there were recent fires on West Redonda, Read, Quadra and Sonora Islands.

“It’s highly possible that we can have a fire here,” said General Manager Mark Lombard.  

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Disaster

Feasibility study for Outer Discovery Island Fire brigade

How our local government works

Tim Pley and Associates has been hired to conduct a feasibility study for a fire brigade to serve the Outer Discovery Islands. The Surge Narrows Community Association (SNCA) requested the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) investigate the costs and implications of this project last September. A motion to hire Pley and Associates passed without comment at the April 27, 2022 SRD Board meeting.  

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Disaster

Owen Bay Fire on Sonora Island ‘under control’

CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

The Owen Bay Fire, on the Southern tip of Sonora Island, is now under control.

It was first reported about 4 p.m. on Thursday. By the time the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) issued a wildfire evacuation alert for the 30 or so residences south of Hyacinth and Dorr Lakes, at 11:45 PM, the fire had grown to two hectares. BC Wildfire Service reported that at least one structure was involved.

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