Whereas the BC Wildfire Initial Attack Crews are a critical component of the wildfire response and rapid wildfire suppression in the Province of British Columbia; And whereas Initial Fire Attack Crew Base locations are key to providing timely wildfire suppression efforts; especially in remote and rural areas: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM lobby the provincial government to maintain the Initial Fire Attack Crew Bases in their current locations, and not relocate them without significant local stakeholder consultation.
Ministry of Forests The Chetwynd base remains a forward attack base that can be staffed with wildland firefighters as needed based on wildfire potential in the area. The Dawson Creek Fire Zone, within which Chetwynd is located, assigns staff and resources based on hazard and fire activity levels, and though personnel will not be stationed in Chetwynd full-time, they will be pre-positioned and available when their capabilities are needed. Forward attack bases are physical BC Wildfire Service BCWS infrastructurebuildings in communities across BC, like Chetwynd, which include equipment caches, trailers and an office for our Initial Attack crews and a storage yard for additional response needs. Resources, inclusive of crews, will be pre-positioned in communities with forward attack bases such as Chetwynd as determined by the fire hazard and probability of ignition. Other resources pre-positioned and readily available will include aircraft, fire suppression equipment and structure protection equipment. Resourcing levels fluctuate through daily assessment using predictive services to support decision making. E.G. high hazard, forecasted lightning means increased resourcing and readiness posture. This model is used in communities throughout the Province to ensure that appropriate resourcing is positioned in closest proximity to the hazard to not delay response times. The BCWS has engaged with communities in the Peace region of BC through pre-season meetings, engagement over the 2024 wildfire season, and through correspondence on behalf of the Minister of Forests on the topic of Initial Attack and forward attack bases in BC. In addition, through the long-standing Interagency Agreement with the Fire Chiefs Association, BCWS works proactively with fire departments in preparedness and response to wildfires. BCWS provides a number of courses to fire departments across BC between October and June each year. The BC Wildfire Service utilizes structural fire departments and other response partners, such as forestry industry groups, in wildfire response across the province.