BC WILDLAND FIRE STRATEGY Achieving Global Excellence in Wildland Fire Management

BC WILDLAND FIRESTRATEGY

BC WILDLAND FIRE STRATEGY

Achieving Global Excellence in Wildland Fire Management

The TeamMinistries of: Environment; Healthy Living and Sport; Forests and Range; Community Development; Agriculture and Lands; Integrated Land Management Bureau; Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources; and BC Oil & Gas Commission December 2008


2

British Columbia’s Wildland Fire Strategy Background

Wildland fire is a natural part of British Columbia’s healthy, diverse and productive forests and rangelands. However, when wildfire threatens public safety, communities, property or natural resource values we need to take action.

OVERVIEW

Background

New Circumstances

Strategic Objectives

Reduce Hazards & Risks

Careful Use of Prescribed Fire

Wildfire Monitoring

Integrated Planning

Next Steps

Conclusion

BC WILDLAND FIRE STRATEGYAddress climate change and development with the proactive use and management of fire to encourage healthier ecosystems, reduce risk

to communities and enable more cost-effective wildfire response


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British Columbia’s Wildland Fire Strategy Increasing Pressures, Stressors & Risks

Despite having a world class wildfire suppression organization, the province’s communities and resources are increasingly at significant risk. • Climate Change• Development & Expanding Wildland/Urban Interface• Land Use and Resource Pressures• Resource Management & Tenure Adjudication

Practices

OVERVIEW

Background

New Circumstances



Prescribed Fire

Wildfire Monitoring

Integrated Planning

Next Steps

Conclusion


4

British Columbia’s Wildland Fire Strategy A Balanced Approach

A more innovative, proactive, integrated approach to wildland fire planning, mitigation and management is needed, where the role of wildland fire is fully recognized and considered in decisions at all levels.• Four Strategic Objectives - each with High Level Actions

• Improve BC’s world-class wildfire response organization

• Capitalize on strong linkages to Government’s Goals &

Strategies

OVERVIEW

Background

New Circumstances

A New Approach


Prescribed Fire

Wildfire Monitoring

Integrated Planning

Benefits

Conclusion

LIVING WATER SMART


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British Columbia’s Wildland Fire Strategy Four Strategic Objectives

It is critical that we manage wildfire smarter, since our ability to “suppress fires harder” is limited. BC’s Wildland Fire Strategy has Four Strategic Objectives, each with High Level Actions to achieve them:

Strategic Objective Outcome• Reduce Hazards & Risks - Safe Communities/Infrastructure• Prescribed Fire - Healthy, Resilience Ecosystems • Wildfire Monitoring - Cost Effective Priority Response• Integrated Planning - Awareness & Shared Mitigation

OVERVIEW

Background

New Circumstances



Prescribed Fire

Wildfire Monitoring

Integrated Planning

Next Steps

Conclusion


6

British Columbia’s Wildland Fire Strategy Reduce Hazards & Risks

OBJECTIVE: To reduce the hazards and risks associated with wildland fire.

Outcomes:• Protected homes and communities• Business continuity• Protected critical infrastructure & utilities• Mitigated impacts to ecosystem services

- watersheds, air sheds, habitat, aquatic systems, timber

& fibre

OVERVIEW

Background

New Circumstances

A New Approach


Prescribed Fire

Wildfire Monitoring

Integrated Planning

Next Steps

Conclusion

Mt Tzouhalem Before & After Restoration


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British Columbia’s Wildland Fire Strategy Careful Use of Prescribed Fire

OBJECTIVE: To make planned and careful use of prescribed fire in appropriate ecosystems and under suitable conditions.

Outcomes:

• Reduce long-term wildfire and smoke impacts

• Restore plant communities and habitat

• Maintain forest and ecosystem health & resilience

• Reduce high risk fuels

OVERVIEW

Background

New Circumstances

A New Approach


Prescribed Fire

Wildfire Monitoring

Integrated Planning

Next Steps

Conclusion


8

British Columbia’s Wildland Fire Strategy Monitor Low Risk Wildfires

OBJECTIVE: To actively monitor wildfires that occur in areas where there is minimal risk to identified values, and intervene where appropriate.

Outcomes:• Costs effective, optimized use of limited suppression resources• Transparent suppression priorities with established values at risk• Better decision making within an established policy framework• Safer responders given identified threats and dangerous landscapes• Realistic public expectations

OVERVIEW

Background

New Circumstances

A New Approach


Prescribed Fire

Wildfire Monitoring

Integrated Planning

Next Steps

Conclusion


9

British Columbia’s Wildland Fire Strategy Integrated Planning

OBJECTIVE: To ensure that plans adequately consider the management of wildland fire at all appropriate scales.

Outcomes:• Strong awareness of potential wildfire risks and consequence• Better defined responsibilities and cost obligations for developers• Mitigation strategies for all industrial sectors & community values• Improved response plans & safer responders, workers and communities

OVERVIEW

Background

New Circumstances

A New Approach


Prescribed Fire

Wildfire Monitoring

Integrated Planning

Next Steps

Conclusion


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British Columbia’s Wildland Fire Strategy

Budget Options for Each Activity:1. Full implementation2. Reduced implementation 3. Realign existing resources

OVERVIEW

Background

New Circumstances

A New Approach


Prescribed Fire

Wildfire Monitoring

Integrated Planning

Next Steps

Conclusion

Next Steps

- Leads prepare detailed work plan/budget options- DM ILMB Board endorsement- Cabinet/TB submission


Conclusions

A more balanced, integrated approach to wildland fire planning, mitigation, management and response is needed, where the role of wildland fire is fully recognized and considered in decisions at all levels.

• Four Strategic Objectives - each with High Level Actions

• Addresses the need to address climate change &

development

• Global excellence in wildland fire management

OVERVIEW

Background

New Circumstances

A New Approach


Prescribed Fire

Wildfire Monitoring

Integrated Planning

Next Steps

Conclusion

British Columbia’s Wildland Fire Strategy


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British Columbia’s Wildland Fire Strategy Discussion, Comments or Burning Questions?

Strategic Objective Outcome• Reduce Hazards & Risks - Safe Communities/Infrastructure• Prescribed Fire - Healthy, Resilience Ecosystems • Wildfire Monitoring - Cost Effective Priority Response• Integrated Planning - Awareness & Shared Mitigation

OVERVIEW

Background

New Circumstances

A New Approach


Prescribed Fire

Wildfire Monitoring

Integrated Planning

Benefits

Conclusion

Documents

BC WILDLAND FIRE STRATEGY Achieving Global Excellence in Wildland Fire Management