Transcript BC FOREST SERVICE PROTECTION PROGRAM

BC WILDLAND FIRE
STRATEGY
Achieving Global Excellence in Wildland Fire Management
The Team
Ministries 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
BCCommission
WILDLAND FIRE
STRATEGY
December 2008
British Columbia’s Wildland Fire Strategy
OVERVIEW
Background
New Circumstances
Strategic Objectives
Reduce Hazards
& Risks
Careful Use of
Prescribed Fire
Wildfire
Monitoring
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.
BC WILDLAND FIRE STRATEGY
Address 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
Integrated
Planning
Next Steps
Conclusion
BC WILDLAND FIRE
STRATEGY
2
British Columbia’s Wildland Fire Strategy
OVERVIEW
Background
New Circumstances
Strategic Objectives
Reduce Hazards
& Risks
Prescribed Fire
Wildfire
Monitoring
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
Integrated
Planning
Next Steps
Conclusion
BC WILDLAND FIRE
STRATEGY
3
British Columbia’s Wildland Fire Strategy
OVERVIEW
Background
New Circumstances
 A New Approach
Reduce Hazards
& Risks
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
Prescribed Fire
• Improve BC’s world-class wildfire response organization
Wildfire
Monitoring
• Capitalize on strong linkages to Government’s Goals & Strategies
Integrated
Planning
Benefits
Conclusion
BC WILDLAND FIRE
STRATEGY
LIVING
WATER SMART
4
British Columbia’s Wildland Fire Strategy
OVERVIEW
Background
New Circumstances
 Strategic Objectives
Reduce Hazards
& Risks
Prescribed Fire
Wildfire
Monitoring
Integrated
Planning
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
• Prescribed Fire
• Wildfire Monitoring
• Integrated Planning
- Safe Communities/Infrastructure
- Healthy, Resilience Ecosystems
- Cost Effective Priority Response
- Awareness & Shared Mitigation
Next Steps
Conclusion
BC WILDLAND FIRE
STRATEGY
5
British Columbia’s Wildland Fire Strategy
OVERVIEW
Background
New Circumstances
A New Approach
Reduce Hazards
& Risks
Prescribed Fire
Wildfire
Monitoring
Integrated
Planning
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
Next Steps
Conclusion
Mt Tzouhalem Before &
After Restoration
BC WILDLAND FIRE
STRATEGY
6
British Columbia’s Wildland Fire Strategy
OVERVIEW
Background
New Circumstances
A New Approach
Careful Use of Prescribed Fire
OBJECTIVE: To make planned and careful use of
prescribed fire in appropriate ecosystems and under
suitable conditions.
Reduce Hazards
& Risks
Outcomes:
Prescribed Fire
• Reduce long-term wildfire and smoke impacts
Wildfire
Monitoring
• Restore plant communities and habitat
Integrated
Planning
• Maintain forest and ecosystem health & resilience
• Reduce high risk fuels
Next Steps
Conclusion
BC WILDLAND FIRE
STRATEGY
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British Columbia’s Wildland Fire Strategy
OVERVIEW
Background
New Circumstances
A New Approach
Reduce Hazards
& Risks
Prescribed Fire
Wildfire
Monitoring
Integrated
Planning
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
Next Steps
Conclusion
BC WILDLAND FIRE
STRATEGY
8
British Columbia’s Wildland Fire Strategy
OVERVIEW
Background
New Circumstances
A New Approach
Reduce Hazards
& Risks
Prescribed Fire
Wildfire
Monitoring
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
Integrated
Planning
Next Steps
Conclusion
BC WILDLAND FIRE
STRATEGY
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British Columbia’s Wildland Fire Strategy
Next Steps
OVERVIEW
Background
New Circumstances
A New Approach
Reduce Hazards
& Risks
Prescribed Fire
Wildfire
Monitoring
Integrated
Planning
- Leads prepare detailed work plan/budget options
- DM ILMB Board endorsement
- Cabinet/TB submission
Budget Options for Each Activity:
1. Full implementation
2. Reduced implementation
3. Realign existing resources
 Next Steps
Conclusion
BC WILDLAND FIRE
STRATEGY
10
British Columbia’s Wildland Fire Strategy
OVERVIEW
Background
New Circumstances
A New Approach
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.
Reduce Hazards
& Risks
• Four Strategic Objectives - each with High Level Actions
Prescribed Fire
• Addresses the need to address climate change & development
Wildfire
Monitoring
• Global excellence in wildland fire management
Integrated
Planning
Next Steps
Conclusion
BC WILDLAND FIRE
STRATEGY
British Columbia’s Wildland Fire Strategy
Discussion, Comments or Burning Questions?
OVERVIEW
Background
New Circumstances
Strategic Objective
Outcome
• Reduce Hazards & Risks
• Prescribed Fire
• Wildfire Monitoring
• Integrated Planning
-
Safe Communities/Infrastructure
Healthy, Resilience Ecosystems
Cost Effective Priority Response
Awareness & Shared Mitigation
A New Approach
Reduce Hazards
& Risks
Prescribed Fire
Wildfire
Monitoring
Integrated
Planning
Benefits
 Conclusion
BC WILDLAND FIRE
STRATEGY
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