South Green Lake property owners should be concerned about the drought conditions in our neck of the woods.
Wildfire concerns got worrisome when we had hot temperatures and no rainfall in the second half of the summer of 2023.
Wildfires were raging throughout the province and burning valuable forests, destroying homes and forcing people to evacuate from their homes to find safety.
Fortunately, South Green Lake did not suffer from devastation when wildfires were wreaking havoc in the rest of the province. However, it was hot and dry in the Cariboo.
When we had lower-than-normal rainfall and a below-average snow load winter, the Ministry of Forests (MOF) was concerned about the possibility of wildfires flaring up in the forests around South Green Lake. The MOF hired crews to do fuel mitigation projects in an effort to slow the possible wildfires burning towards homes, cabins and properties at South Green Lake in 2024.
The fuel mitigation crews put the woody debris on the forest floor in piles to be burned in the winter.
They also cut down small trees so there was a significant mitigated space between the larger trees. The goal was to stop wildfires from burning along the forest floor and then burn up the bigger trees and start dangerous crown fires.
Crown fires get so hot they can send firebrands and embers in the air and they can sail in the wind for a long distance and land on other trees and create more crown fires. Eventually, firebrands and embers could land on our properties, homes, cabins and outbuildings.
The fuel mitigation crews were supposed to burn the piles of woody debris last winter, but we didn’t get our usual dump of snow, so burning had to be postponed.
However, an MOF employee anticipates pile burning will begin in November 2024 if there is enough snow to burn the piles safely.
Fire danger
The MOF was so concerned about open fires starting wildfires it prohibited open fire burns throughout the Cariboo, the Cariboo Chilcotin Forest District, the 100 Mile House Forest District and the Quesnel Forest District this spring.
This prohibition included a Category 2 and 3 open fire ban for the Cariboo Fire Centre and it included a portion of the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD), including the Village of Clinton and the majority of Electoral Area E (Bonaparte Plateau) including Loon Lake, 70 Mile House, South Green Lake, Pressy Lake, Eagan Lake, and Young Lake.
If there is an open fire contravention and it causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible for it may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs, as well as the value of resources damaged or destroyed by the wildfire.
To report a wildfire, call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone.
Open burning violations are reported through the RAPP Line at 1-877-953-7277 (RAPP).
All of this lack of precipitation means there is a greater risk of wildfires starting in our nearby forests and spreading to our properties, homes, cabins and outbuildings.
We must work on protecting our homes, cabins and outbuildings so our children and grandchildren can enjoy the “great outdoors” we have experienced.
Crown fires can start wildfires kilometres away
Crown fires can send firebrands and embers several kilometres in the air and start wildfires on homes, cabins, outbuildings and property that haven’t been FireSmarted properly, or at all.
We have to protect our buildings and properties from an attack from firebrands and embers.
Fortunately, there are ways to make our buildings and properties more resilient to wildfires.
Local FireSmart organization
South Green Lake has a FireSmart organization.
This organization has three FireSmart neighbourhoods mapped out, along with Neighbourhood Champions and their committees and two Local FireSmart Representatives (LFRs).
The local FireSmart organization has great support from the South Green Lake Volunteer Fire Department - its fire chief and officers.
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) hired a FireSmart Coordinator last year to help community LFRs who are working to make their communities more resilient to wildfires. The local Firesmart organization is also getting great support from our TNRD Area E Director Jim Smith who is working hard for local FireSmart projects.
Neighbours protecting neighbours
As a South Green Lake LFR, I believe it is vitally important that all of our property owners should make their homes, cabins and properties more resilient to wildfires.
We should be helping our neighbours FireSmart each other’s homes, cabins and properties.
As your LFR, I would be happy to help all of you do a self-assessment on your properties, homes, cabins and outbuildings free of charge when it’s mutually convenient for both of us.
If you would like some help with a self-assessment on your homes, cabins, outbuildings and properties, contact me at 250-456-7496 (leave a message if I’m not home) or email me at topdrawer1948@gmail.com, and we can arrange a date and time to make your properties and building more resilient to wildfires.
I can also help you answer FireSmart questions and help you find FireSmart information. Reach out to me at the above phone number and email address.
“We should all be working hard on making our properties, homes, cabins and outbuildings resilient to wildfires – especially during our current drought conditions.”
Eco Depot summer hours
Starting on April 1, the 70 Mile Eco Deport was on its summer hours.
From Saturday to Wednesday, the facility is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Local entertainment
The 70 Mile Community Club is hosting the Spring Craft Fair at the Community Hall on May 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Crafters can reserve a table for $20 by contacting Club Chair Ken Huber or April Huber at 604-852-7622.
While it’s a bit early to promote, the Canada Day committee is busy working on having a fantastic outdoor Canada Day celebration on the 70 Mile Community Hall grounds.
Committee spokesperson Sally Watson said the Community Hall will be open for those who want to use the restrooms. She added the event will have an 11 a.m. start.
Watson added there will be games for the children, a muddy tug of war and a barbecue.
She added that the 70 Mile House Volunteer Fire Department members will be there to chat with people and talk about fire safety. However, the members will be taking on the youngsters in round two of their balloon fight.
However, Watson said she believes the best event will be the one where people can compete in the new duck penning event in the newly rejuvenated Horse Arena. The competitors will try to put the ducks in a pen while riding their stick horses.
If people don’t have their own stick horses, they can rent one at the arena.