Wildfire readiness in the Okanagan

KELOWNA–The fires raging in Fort McMurray have Okanagan residents thinking back to wildfires experienced in the valley over the years and wondering if the region is prepared for
a disaster of similar scope.

“I’ve got some calls asking if we are in a better position than we were in 2003, and if this can happen again,” says Kelowna Fire Chief Jeff Carlisle.

Bruce Smith with the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) says we are, indeed, in a better position than we were.

“Every time we have an event, and we’ve had many since 2003 in the central Okanagan, we learn something,” says Smith. “And from that we add it to our regional response plan and all of the different agencies that are involved in delivering the service through the emergency plan are able to provide a better service the next time.”

One thing the regional district is doing to prepare for wildfires is fuel mitigation in regional parks. Since 2010, more than a million dollars has been spent on spacing out trees and cleaning up dry twigs and brush from the forest floor in an effort to slow a fast moving forest fire and give firefighters a better chance of getting the upper hand.

While the Okanagan may be more prepared than ever before for a wildfire situation, Smith says individuals also have to do their part in ensuring their own safety during a crisis.

“Ironically and coincidentally this is emergency preparedness week in Canada and we’ve all seen what’s happening in Fort McMurray and the tragedy that’s unfolded up there and if there’s any better message that we’re learning from residents who’ve been evacuated, some with just the clothes on their backs, is that they should have been prepared,” says Smith.

The RDCO advises every family in the Okanagan to make a plan, know the risks, and prepare an emergency kit.

A list of items that should be included in the kit can be found on the RDCO website.