By Barb Brouwer
Contributor
Wildfire response was a hot topic at the Columbia Shuswap Regional District board meeting on Sept.14 in Salmon Arm.
Initial conversation was sparked by a letter from District of Barriere Mayor Ward Stamer.
In his Aug. 28 letter to the premier, Minister of Forests Bruce Ralston, Simpcw First Nation Chief George Lampreau and British Columbia regional districts, Stamer noted that government must retain and protect all information, data and correspondence to and from the BC Wildfire Service pertaining to 2023 wildfires.
“With the unprecedented wildfires throughout our province in 2023 that are destroying more land, homes, and infrastructure than ever before, it is important for the government of British Columbia to recognize its responsibility in analyzing each fire and their respective crew responses in order to learn and be able to improve future wildfire outcomes,” wrote Stamer.
Stamer also reminded the province that it is responsible to undertake a thorough, comprehensive review of the wildfire season by a committee comprised of local elected officials and First Nations from affected areas, wildfire experts from other jurisdictions, BC Wildfire Service representatives as well as nonpartisan representation from the BC Legislature.
“This review needs to begin immediately and its summary, with initial recommendations, should be shared with the public before the 2024 wildfire season,” Stamer added, pointing out a similar review undertaken after the 2003 wildfire season provided invaluable lessons for subsequent years.
“On behalf of the District of Barriere Council, we are asking for all regional districts and municipalities in B.C. for their support of this initiative and to individually ask our provincial government to undertake this important review of the 2023 wildfire response,” Stamer concluded.
Electoral Area A Rural Golden Director Karen Cathcart supported Stamer and made a motion that CSRD write a similar letter to Premier Eby.
Cathcart told directors that Stamer sits on the executive of the Southern Interior Local Government Association (SILGA) and the whole SILGA board would be meeting with the premier at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities annual meeting in Vancouver (Sept. 18-22).
“I’m sure this conversation is going to be everywhere and I just wanted to let the board know SILGA is all over this,” she said.
CSRD Board Chair Kevin Flynn supported the motion and said he and Chief Administrative Officer John MacLean would craft a letter.
“What was requested verbally is a full review when emotions aren’t so high and we can talk about improvements,” said Flynn. “If the board supports this motion, I think it is the right way to go.”
Read more: VIEWPOINT: North Shuswap residents heroes after the firestorm
Read more: B.C. wildfire fighter killed in crash remembered as loving and resilient
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