PG has “dodged a bullet” with wildfire

“Well, in 2009, the Bruce Blackwell report looked at fire hazards around the city. So in the regional district area and clearly area and at that time there was a lot of concern about the amount pine beetle impact a wildfire,” says Dan Adamson, Registered Professional Planner. “Now what we’re looking at is we’re getting hotter, drier summers and periods of drought that we’ve seen. We’ve seen firestorm activity this summer.”

Subsequent to that report coming to Council, a letter from Adamson was received also looking at the risk to the community presented by wildfire. “The letter is just asking council administration to have a look at that study and get it revised based on the current vegetation that’s around the city. And look at our recent climate information – our hot, dry summers – and kind of map where the big hazard areas are. They’re probably still to the west, to the south.”

And while a massive amount of dead pine beetle wood – upwards of 5000 truckloads – was hauled out of the city, there are some areas that still see treatment.

“And look at our recent climate information, you know, our hot, dry summers and kind of map where the big hazard areas are. They’re probably still to the west, to the south.”

“And that’s obviously on the radar,” says McIntosh. “An area in Malaspina was done recently and I believe Brody Road is the next area that’s going to get prescribed wildfire mitigation efforts.”

But Adamson says Prince George has been lucky to date.

“We’ve seen situations in Fort Mac, for example, where where these embers land into people’s backyards. They start house fires. And what I understand is after two or three house fires, it completely overwhelms the fire rescue services for a municipality. And so it is the right time. I think we’ve been we’ve dodged a bullet.”

He says if there is an appetite to review the Blackwell report, it will require buy-in and not only from the City but the Regional District of Fraser Fort George and the Provice.

by Cheryl Jahn

PG has “dodged a bullet” with wildfire

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