B.A. Blackwell and Associates Ltd
18 Gostick Pl # 270 V7M 3G3 North Vancouver, BC, Canada

https://www.piquenewsmagazine.com//letters-re-thinking-wil

https://www.piquenewsmagazine.com//should-whistler-rethink

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https://www.theglobeandmail.com//article-despite-a-recent/ #wildfires

https://business.financialpost.com//troubled-in-timberland

https://www.coastreporter.net//wildfire-experts-urge-bette

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http://vancouversun.com//vaughn-palmer-john-horgans-lack-o

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https://www.castanet.net//253515/Early-melt-downs-snowpacks

https://www.timescolonist.com//comment-we-can-make-forest-

https://globalnews.ca//forestry-experts-call-for-more-cont

https://www.lifegate.com//urban-forestry-call-stefano-boeri

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The UBC Faculty of Forestry in partnership with alumni UBC invite you to hear from experts at the forefront of wildfire research, fire risk identification and mitigation, and wildfire policy. Learn why British Columbia has experienced two record-setting fire seasons in a row, how climate change is influencing the likelihood of wildfires, and how our province can learn from Californias past decade of fighting megafires. Be part of the discussion during the Q&A with the audien...ce, and then continue the conversation afterwards during the reception. We are excited to be able to offer this panel discussion in both Kelowna and Vancouver. If you are not able to join us, the Vancouver event will be available as a podcast. Sign-up here to get notification of its release. Kelowna Monday, October 15th, 2018, 6:30pm-9:00pm Coast Capris Hotel, 1171 Harvey Avenue Vancouver Tuesday, October 16th, 2018, 6:30pm-9:00pm Forest Sciences Centre, 2424 Main Mall Panelists: Bruce Blackwell, BSF84, MSc89, President/Senior Consultant, B.A. Blackwell & Associates Ltd. Lori Daniels, Professor, UBC Faculty of Forestry Jeff Eustache, Manager, Forestry Fire Management, First Nations Emergency Services Society of British Columbia Ian Meier BSF00, Acting Executive Director, BC Wildfire Services Scott Stephens, Professor of Fire Science, UC Berkeley [REGISTER FOR KELOWNA] [REGISTER FOR VANCOUVER]

https://www.timescolonist.com//les-leyne-fighting-b-c-wild

https://www.theglobeandmail.com//article-in-wildfire-pron/

https://www.theglobeandmail.com//article-the-tide-has-tur/

https://www.timescolonist.com//monique-keiran-wildfires-pu

https://www.theglobeandmail.com//article-bc-is-burning-is/

https://www.engineering.com//Under-Fire-How-We-Rebuild-Aft

https://www.cbc.ca//forest-cleanup-underway-in-central-koo

https://www.quesnelobserver.com//mayor-of-quesnel-meets-w/

http://www.cbc.ca//the-environmental-impact-of-wildfires-a

http://www.cbc.ca//british-col/bc-wildfires-2018-1.4792952

https://www.theglobeandmail.com//article-bc-wildfires-ren/

Recently I was disappointed to see and hear comments questioning the level of effort being put into BCs forest firefighting effort by fire crews. As an Aircraf...t Maintenance Engineer assigned to a helicopter contracted to BCFS I have the opportunity to work alongside some of these firefighters and thought I would share some insights and perspective. The purpose here is not to instigate any conflict but only to shine a closer light on some of the challenges that our fire crews actually face. The pilot and I typically head out to the aircraft at about 6:30 in the morning. We are of the fortunate few to have secured rooms at a modest motel in a tiny tourist town in the Kootenays. Once at the Initial Attack base where the Heli is located, the BCFS Unit and Contract crews, about 60 men and women in total, are pouring out of their tents getting ready for the day ahead. Many have had rough sleeps due to the night time heat, or the noise made by my necessary maintenance on the helicopter the night before. They still keep smiles on their faces as they line up at one of the two small bathrooms located on base. Next they pile into their trucks and drive into town to hope to get some food and coffee from one of the local delis or bakeries, if it hasnt already been picked over by the other fire crews or visiting tourists. Theres no time for a sit down meal usually, so all too often chow for the day comes from one of the two local gas stations. The grocery store is not an option as it doesnt open until 8, and is usually shut by the time they are flown back to base at 8pm or later in the day. After food and coffee has been sorted these brave men and women suit up in their flame resistant and not so breathable, long sleeve shirts and pants. Next they assemble into their individual groups, grab their gear (heavy items like Pulaskis, axes, chainsaws, hoses, trash pumps) and make their way over to the helicopter pickup point down the hill. There isnt enough room in the trucks for all the firefighters and all their gear, so most have to walk the click and a half to the landing pad, while carrying the gear. But this is easy compared to the day ahead. The helicopter launches with the first crew at around 7:30 and heads off into the haze toward one of the many fires in the area. Most of the terrain is very steep and difficult to navigate on a clear day, let alone when inundated with thick smoke. The pilot then lands with precision on one of the field built fallen timber heli-pads made by the first crew dispatched to the fire. But not trusting to put the full weight of the aircraft down on this structure, the pilot continues to pull pitch to keep the aircraft light on the skids while the crew egresses the aircraft safely. This poses a big risk to the exiting crew and the pilot as the helicopter is essentially flying and creating lots of downwash, so foreign objects can be kicked up, and dust is blown around. The pilot focuses intently on both his instruments and the ground as gear and crew are unloaded. With each item removed from the aircraft the pilot must adjust his collective, cyclic and tail rotor inputs to prevent the aircraft from lifting off. Once the crew has exited they crouch-walk downhill beside the timber heli-pad so as to avoid the advancing rotor blades and hunker down on top of their gear while the helicopter lifts off. This cycle is repeated a number of times until all fire crews are present on their assigned fires. Once on the hillside these men and women work like a well-oiled machine to try and see through the mornings plan for fighting the fire. Still-wells, or relay tanks as they are also known, are setup by the crews in close proximity to the flank of the fire they have determined to be most likely to spread. These tanks are often used in the mountains where standing water is scarce, and truck access is not possible. The tanks will have as many of their precious Mark 3 185cc 2-stroke water pumps pulling water out as needed by the crews actioning the fire. These Still-wells are resupplied with water by the helicopters Bambi Bucket. The Mark 3 pumps are prized and protected as if they were ones first born. If a helicopter pilot accidentally gets one wet when resupplying the still-well he or she is made well aware of that fact. The fire fighting tactics used by the ground crews are effective and efficient. The use of expensive air-power is limited, and tactful, and by no means a free-for-all. Spotters call in heli-bucket drops, often times located in steep terrain only suitable to mountain goats. Its not unheard of for pilots to see these individuals clinging to trees above rocky faces just to point out a crucial drop point to prevent a fires further spread. A lot of the fire is fought with good old fashioned elbow grease, hard manual labour. Running hose, digging fire guards, extinguishing embers, falling trees, etcetera. All of this takes place at an ambient air temperature of at least 10 degrees C hotter than the outer lying areas beyond the fire. Heat stroke and fatigue are real threats when working on the ground near a fire. All day long each crew keeps in close touch with the Fire Center via radio-repeater for two hour check-ins, fire behavior updates, and more. Not one soul working a forest fire is unaccounted for. All too often the weather and winds are unpredictable and the fire takes an unexpected turn, and the entire action plan has to be revamped in haste. In some instances this requires immediate evacuation of the crew by helicopter, as the risk in staying near the fire can be too great. This again poses another challenge as forest fires breed weather and wind of their own, and when the call is made to airlift a crew, the fire and/or weather tend to be nearing its most volatile. Pilots do their best to assess fire, weather and wind conditions before and during a pickup using all of the assets at their disposal. However, unlike an international airport, there are not dedicated weather stations at each landing, or even windsocks for that matter. The pilot solely has to trust his own skill, knowledge and intuition about any of the weather and fire conditions surrounding his approach. When the crews step aboard the aircraft they are very aware of this fact and put their lives in the pilots hands. This trust forges fast friendships between pilots and ground crews, and after a few short days the pilots usually know the crew members by name; jokes and stories are shared, camaraderie abounds. Its uplifting to be around such an energy. The ground crews finally return to base for the evening usually near the grounding time for the helicopters. This equates to about 11-12 hours spent on the front line of the fire. After this long and arduous day on the fire line, the cue for the two on-site showers starts to form. The lucky early arrivers are fortunate to get a warm shower out of the 40 gallon hot water tank, but the rest have to rinse off in ice cold water drawn up from the IA bases below ground well. To most of them, the temperature is irrelevant however, as the feeling of being clean strongly outweighs the temporary discomfort of cold water. A few of the firefighters put on some decent clothes and head into town, to grab a bite and beer at the local pub. But most retire immediately to their tents. The pub attendees are usually back in their tents about an hour or two later. Working on the helicopter at night right next to the crews resting in their tents I am sure to make as little noise as possible to not disturb their much needed rest. The entire daily cycle is repeated over and over like Ground Hog Day until the fires are extinguished. So to summarize, directed at those who may question the effort, I have seen it with my own eyes, and it is very real, very honest and very determined. Perhaps the doubt may have surfaced from someone witnessing a firefighter sleeping or relaxing, but let me say if you see a sleeping or relaxing firefighter, it means one of two things, he or she needs it, or deserves it. As a disclaimer, my explanation of what the ground crews actually do is only just a snippet, there is obviously a lot more depth to their profession which I am only touching on. Each geographical location has its own set of challenges, but the one similarity exists, it is by no means easy work. Hats off to the men and women of the BCFS, Contract Crews, and all other Wildfire Fighters who have come here from other provinces or countries to help protect our homes, property and resources. You are appreciated! See more

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