'Significantly more to do'

UPDATE: 3:55 p.m.

A recently released report on the unprecedented 2017 wildfire and flood season in B.C. has found the province needs to commit more resources to fire prevention, and improve emergency communication and co-operation.

The review, Addressing the New Normal: 21st Century Disaster Management in British Columbia, was co-chaired by former B.C. cabinet minister George Abbott and Skawahlook First Nation Chief Maureen Chapman. The pair spoke to media about their findings Thursday afternoon.

“2017 was not anomalous, it was not a one-off that happened and will go away,” Abbott said. “This is clearly something that we have to be thinking about, not only for 2018, but every year in the future probably, as far as we can see ahead.”

Abbott emphasized the need for partnership during emergencies, highlighting last year's firefighting efforts of First Nations communities, ranchers, farmers, logging contractors and others who had the necessary equipment, when the BC Wildfire Service simply couldn't keep up to the 165 wildfires that began on July 7, 2017.

“In some cases, they fought those fires for five to 10 days before BC Wildfire Service got in to deal with it,” Abbott said. “Those folks, which we owe them a lot, are a resource which we need to build on.

“Most people should evacuate when there is an evacuation order, without a doubt, unless you are able to contribute in some way.”

Chapman emphasized the need for “all hands on deck” during emergencies.

“We had people who were sitting on the sidelines because they weren't given permission, even though they had the ability,” Chapman said. “Some of the First Nations communities went ahead and did it anyway, without permission.”

Additionally, the report highlighted the need for wildfire prevention efforts, including increased prescribed burning and selective lumber harvesting near communities.

Forests Minister Doug Donaldson said on Thursday the government has begun implementing 19 of the report's 108 recommendations, including committing $50 million over three years for fire prevention.

Abbott said the province is “modestly better prepared” for the 2018 fire season than last year, but there is “significantly more to do.”

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ORIGINAL: 12:35 p.m.

British Columbia's forests minister says fires and floods in the province are the "new normal," and preventing such disasters must be the focus of the future.

Doug Donaldson says wildfires and floods caused unprecedented damage last year, forcing almost 65,000 people from their homes, scorching millions of hectares and costing more than $600 million.

Donaldson made his comments before releasing an independent report reviewing the government's response to the wildfires and floods that engulfed homes, businesses and forests.

Former Liberal cabinet minister George Abbott and Chilliwack-area hereditary chief Maureen Chapman were appointed last December to undertake the first major examination of fire response programs since 2003, when about 2,500 fires destroyed more than 300 homes and businesses.

Donaldson says the government has internal reports gauging its response last summer, but he wanted an independent review that includes recommendations.

B.C. declared a state of emergency last July due to fires that lasted 10 weeks, the longest in the province's history.

– The Canadian Press