Alberni Valley Times, July 10, 2015

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Protecting your interests after a hit and run

DAVE KOSZEGI

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Friday, July 10, 2015

WILDFIRE

Dog Mountain fire at 400 ha. Wildfire Management Branch reports successful control burn to contain blaze, increased smoke expected KRISTI DOBSON ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES

The fire on Dog Mountain continues to burn and create smokey conditions throughout the Alberni Valley, growing to 400 hectares by Thursday from the 245 hectares reported on the previous day. On Wednesday, crews performed a controlled burn at the site near Sproat Lake, and according to the Coastal Fire Centre, it went as planned. “It was great, it almost couldn’t have been better,” said Ellie Dupont, fire information officer with the Coastal Fire Centre. “They took out the undercover brush and down to the shore.” The result was an increase in the fire’s size from 245 hectares on Wednesday to 400 hectares by Thursday. Crews, including helicopters and ground firefighters, first ignited a test fire, then continued with a staged burn by dropping ignition. The staged fire burned at the same temperature and intensity as the original blaze and did not spread. The object was to reduce the amount of unburnt fuel and mitigate further spreading of the fire. “Helicopters patrolled for spark movement but no fires occurred,” stated a release from the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District on Thursday. “The fire remained within the planned burn area, at

A helicopter drops water on a wildfire that has spread across Dog Mountain this week, growing to 400 hectares by Thursday. [NICHELE PORTRAIT STUDIO]

the intended intensity, and did not move off the peninsula.” During the controlled burning process, the public reacted to an increase of smoke through social

media. Rumors of the fire spreading quickly went rampant and a few calls were handled by the Coastal Fire Centre of concerned citizens.

“These came from Facebook, no one reported the fire,” Dupont said. “When you report a fire, we want you to actually be looking at the smoke. You need to be able

to see what you are describing and reporting.” She added that it is an unnecessary waste of time and resources. “We sent a helicopter that patrolled the area three times, as well as a six-pack of Thunderbirds,” Dupont said. As a result of Wednesday’s progress, a second staged burn, using the remainder of the ignition was planned for Thursday, pending ideal weather conditions. Dupont said it is expected to be a smaller burn and less worrisome. Helicopters have been working Thursday between the fire on Dog Mountain and one at Forbidden Plateau, located northwest of Comox Lake. Ground crews include the Port Alberni-based Thunderbirds. “Your local unit crew is on it,” Dupont said. Residents can expect at least another two or three days of smokey conditions after a controlled burn. After sitting idle by the shore for most of the week while Sproat Lake filled with smoke, the Hawaii Mars water bomber was given a deployment order on Wednesday by the provincial government. The world’s largest water bomber is expected to be ready to support suppression efforts this weekend. Kristi.Dobson@avtimes.net

ACRD

Hazard closes Alberni Inlet and Log Train trails ERIC PLUMMER ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES

Local hikers are prohibited from entering two of the Valley’s most popular trails due to the area’s extreme fire danger rating. An order was given by the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District directors on Wednesday to close off the Alberni Inlet Trail and the Log Train Trail that runs by the McLean Mill National Historic Site. Regional district CAO Russell Dyson said the prohibition is in place to prevent more fires from being ignited in the Valley’s dry forests. The order also covers parks managed by the ACRD, such as the Cokely peak portion of Mount Arrowsmith, but does not include provincial

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DYSON

parks or private land. “The recommendation is that, unfortunately, due to the high fire risk that people should

remain out of the wild and forested areas,” said Dyson. “It only includes the trails that are administered or the responsibility of the regional district. There’s many, many trails throughout the Valley, but a lot of those are on private land or Crown land.” Closing the ACRD’s trails is the latest restriction added to a list of prohibitions in place this summer affecting the use of outdoor areas, including trail gate closures introduced earlier in July by Island Timberlands, the Valley’s largest landowner. On Wednesday the province expanded a campfire ban to cover all of Vancouver Island and British Columbia’s southern coast – including

the often foggy zone around Tofino and Ucluelet. This ban also affects burning in barrels and fireworks. B.C.’s mainland coast and Vancouver Island are currently under an extreme fire danger rating except a patch of coastal land south of Tofino. As the Dog Mountain fire continues to grow by Sproat Lake, the regional district has expanded the role of it’s three fire departments from Bamfield, Beaver Creek and Sproat Lake. The fire chiefs have been authorized to attend to wildfires if needed. “Typically fire departments are limited by the board in terms of the service area,” Dyson explained. “What this is saying is that if there’s an imminent

Steam train put away due to dry conditions

Garden teas a popular summer event

A diesel and electric-powered locomotive has replaced the old No. 7 as the Alberni Valley deals with extreme fire danger conditions. » Alberni Region, 3

Every Thursday the Rollin Art Centre hosts Teas on the Terrace, featuring a line-up of musicians for afternoon entertainment. » Entertainment, 12

danger, something that starts that they feel that they have the ability to tackle, that they have the authority to do that.” Last year 369,169 hectares burned in B.C. – the most forest affected in over a decade – but so far 2015 appears to be even more severe. Currently there are at least 189 forest fires burning throughout the province, including 18 noteworthy incidents like the Dog Mountain blaze. Since April 937 forest fires have been reported to the province’s Wildfire Management Branch – more than double the number of wildfires handled in B.C. by this time last year. Eric.Plummer@avtimes.net

Inside today Alberni Region 3 Opinion 4

Community 5 Sports 6

Scoreboard 7 Comics 8

Classifieds 9 Nation & World 10

Weather 11 Arts & Entertainment 12

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