CBS undertaking new wildfire plan
by Mark Squibb, The Shoreline
The Town of Conception Bay South is undertaking a new wildfire readiness plan.
“(The plan) is a strategic framework to help communities prepare for, respond to and mitigate wildfire risks,” explained Mayor Darrin Bent. “It’ s purpose is to identify and reduce wildlife risks to life, property, and critical infrastructure.”
Jeff Motty, Supervisor of Forest Insect, Disease and Fire Control with DFO, was in council chambers on June 16 to present the framework for the new Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan.
The plan was originally developed in Corner Brook, but the template, said Motty can be applied to CBS and other communities.
The plan will rely on partnership between the town, FireSmart NL, provincial government, and other partners, and ideally would facilitate a coordinated response among agencies during wildfire incidents.
“The plan is intended to support a whole-of-society approach to reducing wildfire risks,” said Motty. “It identifies risk reduction opportunities for all levels of government, the private sector, and thd residents of the Town of Conception Bay South.”
The June 16 presentation marked the official start of the planning process, and the plan is expected to be completed before the end of winter.
“This plan assesses wildlife risk and proposed mitigations within the municipal boundary of the Town of Conception Bay South,” said Motty. “To evaluate wildfire risks to the area within the municipal boundary, vegetation hazard is assessed within 15 km of the perimeter of the built area within the municipal boundary of Town of Conception Bay South,”
Conservation officer Cameron O’Neill was also on hand for the presentation.
“Cameron is your local contact here on the Avalon,” said Motty. “And of course Cameron has a very busy dance card. Where there was so much damage last year there’s a lot of interest in FireSmart on the Avalon Peninsula.”
Motty said that folks across the board are more fire-conscious following last year’s wildfire season.
According to DFO, 249 wildfires burned across the province last summer, more than double the historical average of 118. 236 structures were destroyed and 6,500 people evacuated. The Kingston fire alone, said Motty, resulted in over $70 million in insured property losses.
As of the meeting, the department had logged 57 wildfires, all but two of which had been extinguished.
Motty said that number is about half of what it was this time last year.
“I would attest that’s a lot to do with the work we’ve been doing with communities, and the impact that last year’s fire season had upon us,” said Motty.
Perhaps due to intense fire fighting efforts, the number of hectares burned 18,486.6 last year was actually below the long-term average of 22,993.
Motty said that folks may even protect their homes from wildfires by simply keeping their yards clean.
“When I look back to last year, homes that had lawns mowed survived, versus other homes that didn’t have their lawns mowed,” said Motty. “Don’t put your firewood piles next to your homes. Clean out your gutters. Clean up your property in general.”