Jordan Coble

As wildfires worsen across the province, cikilaxwm (prescribed fire) is gaining more traction as a way to mitigate blazes before they begin, say experts at Westbank First Nation’s (WFN) forest and resource management company. For the past 10 years, Ntityix Resources has treated more than 300 hectares of land in syilx Okanagan homelands through cultural burns and other wildfire mitigation projects. Last year, the band-owned company conducted their first cultural burn outside of kiʔlawnaʔ (Kelowna), treating grasslands and open forestry that had not seen fire in decades. “Capacity is being built,” said Dave Gill, the general manager of Ntityix Resources. “(Cultural burns) are happening five or six times more than they were just a few years ago.” …“Fire is medicine. But just like any other medicine, you misuse it; it can consume you, it can destroy you,” said Jordan Coble, a WFN councillor and the president of Ntityix Resources.

A sweeping fire restriction has been put in place across Alberta as hot, dry weather leaves forests tinder-dry. Emergency officials are urging extreme caution in the weeks ahead as a persistent and severe drought pushes Alberta’s wildfire danger to the extreme. On Wednesday, following a wildfire information update, the province introduced a fire restriction in the province’s forest protection areas in effort to manage the risk. With the exception of Calgary’s forest protection zone, all outdoor fires are now prohibited on public lands, including backcountry and random camping areas. Wildfires have already prompted a handful of communities to temporarily evacuate and put hundreds more Albertans on notice to leave their homes at a moment’s notice. …As of Wednesday morning, 70 wildfires were burning across Alberta, including 63 that have ignited in forest protection zones. The risk of new wildfires igniting is the most extreme in the northern parts of the province…

KAMLOOPS, B.C. — Tactical evacuations have started in northeastern British Columbia as wildfires tear through the area. An update from the B.C. Wildfire Service Wednesday night said efforts are focused on protecting public life and safety in the Peace River Regional District and the District of Chetywnd, which are both within the Prince George Fire Centre. The service said the fire covering approximately 50 hectares also forced the closure of Highway 97. This year’s wildfire season is off to an early start, with more than 170 blazes burning in British Columbia and Alberta, and both provinces issuing fire bans. On Wednesday, the BC Wildfire Service announced a five-month open fire ban, from May 3 to Oct. 11, covering a swath of the province’s Interior. …”This prohibition is being enacted to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety,” the service said.

NANAIMO — An Indigenous land protector will spend an additional 48 days in jail following sentencing arguments in BC Supreme Court in Nanaimo. Angela ‘Rainbow Eyes’ Davidson, 38, was sentenced to 60 days in custody with credit given for 12 days served and 75 hours of community service after being found guilty earlier this year on seven counts of contempt of court. During a lengthy hour-and-a half long ruling in front of a packed, emotionally charged courtroom gallery, Justice Christopher Hinkson said Davidson continued violating the court injunction after her first arrest for contempt. “Ms. Davidson has shown herself incapable or unwilling to abide by conditions in the past, as a result, I’ve concluded that a conditional sentence would be inappropriate.” …Once Justice Hinkson finished outlining his rationale for judgement, the crowd reacted with chants of “shame!”, and “time to retire” as Hinkson left the courtroom.

Additional coverage: Green Party of Canada Reacts to Sentencing of Deputy Leader

Members of the Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA) sought out the Carmanah Valley’s largest Sitka spruce trees which stretches approximately 21 storeys into the sky in an effort to highlight the importance of conserving and protecting old-growth forests. They noted that this tree is protected, as it grows within the Carmanah-Walbran Provincial Park in Ditidaht territory. “This giant is by far the most spectacular Sitka spruce tree that we’ve come across during our decades-long search for big trees in BC,” said TJ Watt, AFA campaigner. …The tree is 12.9 feet wide near its base, 233 feet tall and has an average crown spread of 72 feet. …BC’s Big Tree Registry marks this as the largest tree in the Carmanah Valley, despite the “Carmanah Giant” being taller, and the fourth-largest Sitka spruce on record in BC.

Archie MacDonald

Archie MacDonald, a retired professional forester, is urging changes to B.C.’s approach to wildfires. “We’re concerned about the lack of any tangible actions being put forth by the provincial government to mitigate wildfires,” said MacDonald during a presentation to the board of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen. “The lack of action can be best described by looking at the 2024 provincial budget, where $0 were allocated towards wildfire mitigation. They did allocate some money for wildfire suppression and a little bit for post-wildfire recovery, but $0 for wildfire mitigation.” MacDonald, formerly with COFI, has spent the early part of this year with fellow retired forester Murray Wilson, visiting local governments to build support for their calls for better management of wildfires. Programs like FireSmart, which help property owners guard their homes against wildfires, are good, added MacDonald, but don’t do anything to promote forest health.