The Mountain Pine Beetle has devastated forests all over British Columbia, and
the increase in dead and dying trees has also increased the risk of wildfire. Brent Langlois works in forest fuel management for First Nations Emergency Services Society (FNESS), and says, "With over 100 First Nations communities in British Columbia imbedded within Mountain Pine Beetle (MPB) infested landscapes, the challenge to decrease the effects of catastrophic wildfires is enormous. Beyond these MPB communities are an additional 100-plus communities that are also at risk due to dramatic increases in forest fuel loading."
Brent says the Forest Fuel Management Department of FNESS has a mission to
help First Nations develop safer and healthier communities through Community Wildfire Protection Planning (CWPP). Two professional RPFs are available to monitor plans and projects, and three technical staff members provide education and facilitation services to First Nations communities. It is important that Bands take the time to find a forest professional who can work on their behalf, developing prescriptions and completing treatments on the ground. Regular meetings with clients ensure good two-way communications, and Brent says the participating communities "give us frank and regular feedback."
The potential for devastating wildfires is always present, evident from the 2009
season. "Seventeen Bands (and their numerous reserves) were directly impacted with evacuation alerts and/or orders in southern BC alone this past year, and many others were impacted with smoke/health concerns," said Brent. The costs to complete each stage of treatment are high, and there is concern that inadequate funds will not allow all communities to complete and then maintain their treatments. Brent stresses the urgent need for communities to engage in the protection planning process with FNESS, which can help communities form essential and positive work relationships with other integral agencies, such as the Ministry of Forests, INAC, and NRCAN.
FNESS is in the midst of a forestry crisis. Brent says, "Currently, we are engaged
at the planning stage with 78 communities (with 28 submitted plans this past season alone), 11 at the prescription stage, but only 4 at the operational stage." He notes that there has been a spike in activity this year, and along with it, a substantial decrease in available funds. "This year we have projected the funds for the communities listed above at $4.4M," says Brent. "With over 200 Bands total, the costs will be substantial." Recruiting and retaining qualified First Nations staff to lead the work, as well as documenting and sharing best practices, also bear costs. According to Brent, the task remains to ensure necessary funds to carry on the urgent work in communities at risk.
CANADIAN BUSINESS PULSE
— Resurrected from newsprint. Truth that never died. —
— Resurrected from newsprint. Truth that never died. —
