Art: could use fire photo from last year
http://bcwildfire.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/Photos.asp?Folder=345&Count=1
Tsacha Lake fire west of Quesnel last July
Major forest companies are taking fire-prevention steps in their operations, but some smaller operations are taking significant risks, B.C.'s forestry watchdog reported Friday.
The investigation found that some logging sites had no suppression system at all, or it was inadequate.
For example, one site had a water delivery system that was 18 kilometres away. On another site, in an extreme fire danger area, the inadequate equipment supply was comprised of a five-gallon hand-pump tank and three 10-pound fire extinguishers.
"We found most major licensees had some form of standard operating procedures for fire preparedness and monitored operations on a regular basis to ensure compliance," said board chair Al Gorley. "However, the fire preparedness of timber sale licensees was variable."
Since 1950, industrial activities have caused 12.5 per cent of wildfires in the province, the 24-page B.C. Forest Practices Board report highlighted.
The special investigation involved surveying and interviewing licensees in the Arrow-Boundary and 100 Mile House forest districts and visiting 34 active work sites across the province during the 2010 fire season.
Fires cut a wide swath through north and central B.C. in 2010, burning more than 300,000 hectares. That accounted for 95 per cent of the total area burned in the province.
While the fire hot zone was located in the Southern Interior in 2009, in 2010 it moved farther north, fuelled by extremely dry conditions in the vast beetle-killed pine forests in this region.
In its investigation in central B.C., the forest practices board found eight operations were not compliant with the the law: one major licensee, six timber sale licensees and one B.C. Timber Sales contractor.
The Wildfire Act requires those carrying out forest operations to be adequately prepared to put out a fire, should they accidentally start one.
This includes things like having an adequate supply of water and fire tools onsite, or even shutting down operations early during high fire danger periods.
In addition to looking at compliance with legislated requirements, the report also identified best practices to provide guidance to forest licensees to enhance their fire preparedness.
The recommendations call for companies to provide standard operating procedures and checklists, 24-hour contact information, sufficient tools, adequate water suppression and monitoring.
A fire can accidentally start when machinery strikes a rock and causes sparks, when logging debris gets jammed in equipment and causes friction, or when operating equipment overheats or malfunctions, for example.
A person responsible for starting a fire can be subject to compliance and enforcement actions. Administrative penalties can range up to $100,000.
Fire suppression costs and damages to Crown timber may also be recovered, which can add up to millions of dollars.
