Coquitlam’s ongoing efforts to mitigate wildfire risk, includes training, interdepartmental and inter-agency collaboration, strengthened enforcement, and public education.
COQUITLAM, B.C., July 18, 2023 – Coquitlam’s ongoing efforts to mitigate local wildfire risk, includes training activities, interdepartmental and inter-agency planning and collaboration, strengthened enforcement activities, and a robust public education campaign.
As shared with City Council on Monday, July 17, in response to lower levels of rainfall and higher temperatures across the province, Coquitlam Fire/Rescue continues to support local and regional activities and ongoing training as part of its comprehensive wildfire protection strategy for the community.
These efforts are supported by the City’s annual “Don’t let our parks go up in smoke” public education campaign, which reminds the community that we all have a role to play in helping to prevent wildfires. Designed to heighten fire risk awareness and discourage high-risk behaviours, the campaign includes information on fire risk ratings, Coquitlam bylaws prohibiting outdoor burning and smoking in Coquitlam parks, and increased enforcement and fines during the summer.
Coquitlam’s Wildfire Resiliency
Coquitlam’s Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan reflects modern wildfire resiliency planning guidelines aligned with the seven FireSmart™ disciplines: Education, Legislation and Planning, Development Considerations, Interagency Cooperation, Cross-training, Emergency Planning and Vegetation Management.
Activities this year have included:
- Updated training, funded by the Union of BC Municipalities Community Resiliency Investment for Coquitlam’s Forestry Interface Team; focused on structure protection to keep the team current on equipment, techniques and safety protocols
- Additional staff training on FireSmart activities and the various technical aspects of preventing and managing forest fires, fuel mitigation strategies, home and critical infrastructure assessments, and neighbourhood planning
- Consultation with a variety of land interest partners regarding wildland fuel management which includes field work defining and mapping out boundaries and potential risks, and detailed assessments of the local habitat, environmental, social and cultural impacts of wildfire
Cooperative Approach to Wildfire Safety
The City recognizes that wildfire is not limited by jurisdictional boundaries, which is why Coquitlam Fire/Rescue has taken a cooperative approach and works in partnership with other municipalities, as well as related agencies and groups. Activities have included:
- Monthly Watershed Wildfire Strategic Partners Working Group meetings to share local and regional wildfire initiatives, support planning, preparation, and cross training for effective communications and wildfire response
- An Annual Tri-City Wildfire Inter-Agency Preparedness meeting that includes the fire departments for Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody and Anmore/Belcarra (Sasamat), as well as representatives from Metro Vancouver, BC Parks, and BC Wildfire Service to support enhanced response across the water supply areas and Metro Vancouver regional parks
- A Coquitlam-led Community FireSmart Resiliency Committee involving several City departments as well as external representatives from Metro Vancouver Watershed, Minnekhada Park, kʷikʷəƛ̓əm, and B.A. Blackwell & Associates
Fire Response Equipment Ready for Action
Coquitlam Fire/Rescue's wildfire resources include structural protection trailer units that can be easily mobilized and carry over 16,000 feet of fire hose, sprinklers, multiple pumps, water tanks and supporting firefighting equipment. These trailers can also produce a wet line as a guard against a wildfire approaching a neighbourhood.
Specialized vehicles at the fire station on Burke Mountain Station include has a 3,000-gallon water tank vehicle to support remote water supply, and a Light Attack Vehicle equipped with a pump and water tank that can access small wildfires along forestry or park services roadways. Coquitlam also has two utility task vehicles – one stationed at Burke Mountain and the other at the Mariner fire station – which are four-wheel, off-road vehicles that can access trails to deliver firefighting personnel and equipment to wildfires near accessible trails.
Helpful Tips for Coquitlam Residents
Human activity, such as campfires and discarded cigarettes, continues to be the leading cause of wildfires. People who live near wooded areas face higher risk and should prepare their homes:
- Keep combustible materials at least 1.5 metres from the home, and piles of firewood at least 10 metres away
- Keep your home’s roof and gutters free of leaves and pine needles, and prune all branches that hang over the roof
- Choose fire-safe vegetation and space it to prevent a continuous line of vegetation leading to the home
- Remove all dead/dry vegetation and trim tree limbs two to three meters from the ground
- Choose non-combustible roofing, building and landscape materials
- Know where your home’s gas, electric and water shut-offs are
- Have a wildfire escape plan
- More tips and information can be found at coquitlam.ca/SummerFireSafety.
About Coquitlam Fire/Rescue
Coquitlam Fire/Rescue’s mission is to provide a range of emergency responses, fire protection and educational programs designed to protect lives and property from the adverse effects of fire, sudden medical emergencies or exposure to dangerous conditions created by people or nature. Adopted in late 2021, the Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan outlines 43 actions aimed at reducing wildfire risk and improving the City’s response and recovery if fires do occur, and is making progress implementing high-priority actions.
For more information about Coquitlam’s wildland/urban interface areas visit coquitlam.ca/InterfaceFire.
Media Contact
Scott Young
Deputy Fire Chief
604-927-6400
firerescue@coquitlam.ca
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-kwuh-tlum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the sq̓əc̓iy̓aɁɬ təməxʷ (Katzie), and other Coast Salish Peoples.