15-06-2015 - Below normal precipitation levels for May and June, coupled with a lower than normal snowpack have officials warning coastal British Columbians to prepare for an intense 2015 fire season.

The Coastal Fire Centre is advising all forest industry stakeholders that forest fuels within the southwest portion of British Columbia are unseasonably dry. Without any significant precipitation in the forecast, it is expected that forest fuels will continue to dry.
The Coastal Fire Centre has also responded to several wildfires that are suspected to have been caused by industrial activities.
The unseasonably hot and dry June weather is not typical for the Coast, and the forest industry is reminded to review their business areas and procedures to ensure adequate protocols are in place to prevent the start of wildfires, and respond to a wildfire.
With this in mind, we’ve included info from an earlier post, 10 Wildly Successful Wildfire Prevention Tips, along with information about the “Anatomy of a Forest Fire” we borrowed from the Coastal Fire Centre’s Spring 2014 newsletter.
Here are 10 wildly successful tips to help prevent, and in the event that it happens, be prepared for, wildfires.
1. Have a plan. Like most things in life, having a plan can seriously mitigate the harm caused by unexpected events. Develop a written or verbal fire prevention and management plan, appropriate to the level of fire risk and hazard on your property.
2. Know your trouble spots. Being aware of potential problem areas can actually help reduce the risk of problems arising. Take stock. Have a clear inventory of low and high-risk areas on your property.
3. Be prepared. Ensure operational personnel are adequately trained and equipped to conduct safe and effective fire suppression duties.
4. Have the right tools. Knowing what to do is one thing, having the proper equipment is another. You and your crew should have access to an inventory of appropriate fire management resources and equipment:
Hand tools
Pumps
Retardants
Water supplies
Tanker trucks
5. Know how to get to your water. Make sure you have clear access to your water source. If a winter wind knocked over a tree that now obstructs your ability to get to your pond, this is a problem.
6. Know when not to operate. Monitor weather conditions and during high-risk seasons avoid activities that cause sparks:
Fires
Machines
Equipment
Chain saws
Cigarettes
7. Know thy neighbour. Consider a cooperative fire management strategy with near-by neighbours. Cooperating can reduce costs while increasing efficiency and person-power.
8. Manage your forest’s fuel load. Fires need fuel to burn. Consider seasonally appropriate prescribed burning to minimize forest debris.
9. Nobody cares about your land as much as you do. Restrict public access during periods of high and extreme fire risk. Remember: 9 out of 10 forest fires are caused by human beings.
10. Report wildfires immediately. Perhaps this goes without saying, but in case it doesn’t, report wildfires immediately to the appropriate authorities.