Wildland
Nestled in the northern corner of the Alberni Valley, Cherry Creek is surrounded by dense forests and the stunning Beaufort Mountain Range, offering residents picturesque views but also posing a significant risk when it comes to wildland fires. As climate change continues to affect the frequency and intensity of wildfires in British Columbia, many homes within our district are located within what is known as the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI), where the risk of wildfires impacting homes is especially high.
Wildland Firefighting Training
Members complete the Wildland Firefighter Level 1 (WSPP – WFF1) course, which covers the fundamentals of wildfire suppression, fire behavior, safety, and tactical operations in a wildland environment. This is to the BC Wildfire Service standard and we have 3 in-house instructors trained. In addition, members can complete Sprinkler Protection (WSPP – 115), which focuses on triage of structures, set-up and take-down of sprinkler systems and other simple defence measures.
Advanced courses, such as Engine Boss (ENGB) and Task Force Leader (TFLD), prepare members to lead crews and coordinate multiple resources during wildfire incidents. These courses emphasize leadership, tactical decision-making, risk management, communication, and accountability
Wildland Fire Preparedness:
In response to the increasing wildfire threat, Cherry Creek Fire Department has focused on improving fire protection and safety measures for residents in high-risk areas. Some of the steps we’ve taken include:
- Wildfire Prevention Programs: Educating the community on creating defensible space around homes, including vegetation management and firebreaks.
- Firefighting Equipment & Training: Ensuring that our firefighters are well-equipped with the latest wildland firefighting tools and techniques to combat interface fires effectively.
- Mutual Aid Agreements: Partnering with neighboring fire departments: Beaver Creek VFD, Port Alberni FD and Sproat Lake VFD to provide rapid, coordinated responses to large-scale wildfire incidents.
- Community FireSmart Initiatives: Engaging with local residents to promote fire safety measures and preparedness for a potential wildfire evacuation.
Increasing Wildfire Threat:
- Due to our forest-rich landscape and the ongoing threat of wildfires in the region, Cherry Creek is especially vulnerable to the risks of interface fires, which occur when wildfires spread from the forest to developed areas.
- In recent years, the wildfire threat has grown due to hotter, drier summers, increasing the likelihood of fires spreading rapidly. Our community faces the reality of wildfires as part of the natural environment, making it crucial to have preparedness and prevention plans in place.
BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) Callouts
As wildfires in British Columbia continue to grow in intensity, frequency, and scale, the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) has expanded its response capacity by calling on additional trained personnel from across the province. Fire departments like ours are increasingly being mobilized to support wildland fire operations beyond our local boundaries.
Cherry Creek Fire Department’s Role:
Since 2017, the Cherry Creek Fire Department has proudly responded to multiple BCWS callouts, sending trained members and equipment to assist in wildfire suppression efforts across the province.
Our firefighters have provided support on some of BC's largest and most challenging wildfires, showcasing the skill, commitment, and professionalism of our team. These deployments not only help protect communities around the province but also bring valuable wildland firefighting experience back to Cherry Creek, strengthening our capabilities at home.
