Wildland – Cherry Creek Fire Department

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.

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.

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.

The Future:

As the risk of wildfires continues to grow, Cherry Creek Fire Department remains committed to protecting both the land and the people of our district. Through proactive measures, strategic planning, and ongoing community involvement, we aim to minimize the impact of wildfires on our homes and infrastructure.

The 2018 Wildfire Season:

2018 was an especially challenging year for wildfires in the Alberni Valley. A total of three large fires surrounded the valley—on the North, North-East, and East sides—creating a heightened sense of urgency for fire prevention and preparedness efforts.
One of the most concerning fires was the Beaufort Range Fire, which came within half a kilometre of the Cherry Creek Fire Department’s fire protection boundary and threatened nearby properties.
- The proximity of this fire demonstrated the real and immediate danger wildfires pose to our community and underscored the importance of community readiness and effective firefighting strategies.

2018 Beaufort Range Fire

2am August 8, 2018 The Cherry Creek Fire Department was paged out for “Ash falling in the area.” As members responded to the fire hall it was evident there was an impending forest fire cresting the ridge located above Cherry Creek.

The BC Wildfire Service dispatched CCFD to assist wildland crews. What followed was an intense 5 day exercise of controlling the spread of the fire and the elimination of remaining hot spots.

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.