PRRD supports reinstatement of Northern Initial Attack Base in Chetwynd

CHETWYND -- The debate over the relocation of the Northern Initial Attack in Chetwynd continues.

The Peace River Regional District has written a letter to Minister of Forests Bruce Ralston in support of reinstating the base.

 Bruce Ralston confirmed the closure of the facility and its staff lodging on December 15^th, 2023 in a letter addressed to the Chetwynd Mayor Allen Courtoreille and city council,

Since then, there has been mounting pressure from mayors across the Peace Region.

In early February, Hudson’s Hope and Tumbler Ridge supported Chetwynd in condemning the move to relocate crews to Dawson Creek saying it could double response times in the community and surrounding district.

The concerns surrounding response times continue to mount.

PRRD chair Brad Sperling citied the BC Wildfire Service, who say 94 per cent of new wildfires are suppressed by initial attack crews.

"There remains the concern that travel by helicopter taking 20-30 minutes will result in a wildfire getting out of control during these times of extreme drought in the Peace Region," said Sperling. 

However, the Ministry of Forests and the BC Wildfire service are adamant that the relocation has not had an impact on response times.

During the Wildmare Creek fire that promoted an evacuation order, crews were on scene within 20 minutes of its discovery.

The service says there was no impact to the response time during the Sukunka River wildfire, since crews were already dispatched to Chetwynd in anticipation of a wildfire in the area.

Mike Bernier also wrote to the minister asking that he revisit the decision, citing climate projections that indicated the rising threat of wildfires within the communities in his riding.

A petition calling for more community consultation also circulated around Chetwynd, garnering hundreds of signatures.

In an interview with CJDC-TV, the CAO of Chetwynd Steve McLain says the community is worried about the impact any additional wait times could have.

“Slowing down our Initial Attack Crew by moving them 115 kilometres away doesn’t really seem like it’s in our best interest,” said McLain.

McLain says fires have broken out within 150 metres of his front door. He adds given the district’s landscape, the need for crews is more urgent compared to Dawson Creek.

“We are in a heavily forested area, the fire comes right to our front doors, whereas Dawson Creek is surrounded by a lot of agricultural land,” said McLain.

McLain is also calling for the base, which he says was constructed in the late '60s, to be rebuilt.