Image: Village of Harrison Hot Springs / Harrison Hot Springs Mayor Ed Wood.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Village of Harrison Hot Springs

Harrison Hot Springs mayor declares state of emergency over wildfire threats to Harrison area

May 21, 2024 | 3:29 PM

HARRISON HOT SPRINGS — Harrison Hot Springs Mayor Ed Wood has issued a state of emergency for the village due to what he calls an increased risk of wildfires across the province and in the Harrison area.

According to the text of a State of Local Emergency posted on the village’s website, Mayor Wood says there is a “significant threat of an interface fire and imminent threat to the loss of life and property.”

Wood said he and other B.C. mayors attended a virtual meeting with the Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, Bowinn Ma, during which time Wood learned there are currently 4,850 people evacuated in the province due to wildfires.

“This is a challenging, uncertain and stressful time for our province,” Wood said in the state of emergency declaration. “We are experiencing an increased risk of interface fire due to rainfall levels being at half the usual average, drier than normal conditions, low snowpack levels and a forecast of above seasonal temperatures.”

Wood says bureaucracy and inaction of Council has hindered the Village’s efforts to clear the East Sector area of fuel. Harrison Hot Springs is located in a valley that is heavily treed on both sides. Threatening wildfires appear to be starting earlier and earlier each year in the province, Wood said, and it is imperative to change the way the village approaches emergency management.

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“There have been seven local fires this year,” Wood said. “With no secondary evacuation route in place and no fuel management having taken place to date, there is a need for emergency coordination in order to manage this risk.”

As a result, Wood said he has entered into two emergency contracts, the first of which tasks Sensenet with installing 100 sensors, five gateways and three cameras within the village at a cost of $174,500. It is expected that the materials will be delivered in 3-4 weeks and installation can begin immediately upon delivery, Wood stated.

The second emergency contract calls for a registered professional forester to complete fuel mitigation for 50 metres along McCombs Drive/Eagle Street from McPherson Road to Naismith Avenue. Currently, there are no evacuation orders or air quality concerns, Wood said, and no action from members of the public is required at this time.

“This declaration is made proactively to protect residents and visitors,” Wood said. “I am taking all necessary steps to remediate this situation and ensure that there is no impact to the community. The Village is in contact with the Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, the Fire Chief, the Emergency Program Coordinator and Sts’ailes. I understand that there may be some questions or concerns from the public. The Village is committed to keeping the public informed of any developments. Please watch for updates on our website, bulletin boards and Facebook page.”