By Matt Simmons, The Narwhal, Local Journalism Initiative reporter
Wildfire season is never really over.
When infernos subside in one region, they begin somewhere else. As the world continues to heat up and the climate changes, forested areas like British Columbia will experience greater wildfire impacts year-round, including on the physical and mental health of frontline firefighters.
Continue reading 3 things you need to know about wildfires in BCBy Matt Simmons, The Narwhal, Local Journalism Initiative reporter
“It’s like someone turned the fire switch on and it’s just not stopping.”
That’s what wildfire ecologist Kira Hoffman told me in November, as we discussed our new wildfire reality. I can’t help but think back to that conversation today, as we watch the out-of-control blazes burn Los Angeles, putting at least 180,000 residents under evacuation orders and engulfing entire neighbourhoods in the second-largest U.S. city. It’s all happening in January, a month that should have brought some rain to southern California; instead, the region is drought-stricken and bone dry.
It points to an uncomfortable reality: we need to be thinking about wildfires year-round, and not just when fires are actively burning where we live.
Continue reading Burning out: B.C. wildfire fighters share stories from the frontlines
The 32 properties in Tiber Bay are one step closer to being included in the South Cortes Island fire protection area. They are currently outside the boundary and, consequently, the Cortes Fire department cannot immediately respond to fires in that area. It needs direction from the BC Wildfire Service. Tiber Bay residents will soon be receiving a petition in which they can state their preferences.
Cortes Island Director Mark Vonesch read out the motion at the December 11 SRD Board Meeting, “That a petition be prepared and distributed to affected property owners to determine if they support the extension initiative, and then a further report be prepared for the Board’s consideration at the conclusion of the petition process.”
Continue reading Tiber Bay Residents Being Asked If They Want To Be Included In Cortes Fire Protection AreaPart of Tiber Bay may soon be included in the Southern Cortes Protection Area. This matter was brought up at the Wednesday, November 6, Electoral Areas Services Committee (EASC) meeting, where a motion to recommend it with no dissenting votes.
Continue reading Tiber Bay May Soon Be Added To Cortes Island’s Fire Protection Area
By Louis Belcourt, CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca
The Cortes Community Forest Cooperative has obtained funding to implement two wildfire risk reduction projects in the community forest, a project that’s been in the works for years.
Continue reading Cortes Community Forest receives funding, moves to complete Wildfire Protection Plan
