2017 and 2018 were record-setting wildfire seasons in B.C., and experts are predicting the 2019 season could be equally severe. The Canadian Forest Service said in a recent briefing that current forecasting models show above-average fire danger and severity for most of B.C. from June onwards.
“In Sechelt, we had about four continuous weeks of extreme, Danger Class 5 fire hazard in August of 2018,” Lasser noted in his written report to the Community Forest board. “That is the longest continuous period I’ve experienced in my career on the Coast. Combined with our local water restrictions, we were poised for a disaster had a forest fire started locally.”
Lasser said the risk of fire remained high well into last fall, and a small fire flared up in October, likely caused by a spark from a chainsaw as someone was cutting firewood. Fortunately, the fire was spotted quickly and put out before gusty winds pushed it into the standing trees.
“We’ve been lucky to avoid the catastrophes that have occurred in the Interior,” Lasser said.
Lasser also announced that the Community Forest is ready to launch a significant community awareness campaign around wildfire dangers in the urban interface areas of the Sunshine Coast, starting with a public presentation from four experts June 10 at Chatelech Secondary School in Sechelt.
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