BC Wildfire Service’s strategic decision to adopt a “monitor response” to several fires currently raging over five square kilometers in Wells Gray Provincial Park is demonstrating a novel approach to wildfire management.
Located north of Clearwater, the park has been affected by various wildfires, yet the intervention has been deliberately minimal due to the absence of immediate threats to human structures.
In areas like BC Parks, where nature’s resilience and recovery is prioritized, wildfires are sometimes allowed to run their course, capitalizing on the potential ecological benefits. The process of natural burning can rejuvenate forests by clearing out undergrowth, replenishing soil nutrients, and making way for new plant growth.
Despite the active wildfires, public safety remains paramount. BC Parks, in collaboration with the BC Wildfire Service, has put safety measures in place. A number of campsites and trails at Wells Gray Park have been temporarily closed. The closed areas extend around Kostal Lake, Pillpill Mountain, and all West Arm campsites and trails in the vicinity of Murtle Lake.
This situation has significant implications for private campground owners and operators. Private campgrounds, particularly those near or within the affected regions, have an opportunity to support the efforts of BC Parks and BC Wildfire Service by updating their patrons with the latest wildfire information, implementing temporary closures where necessary, and ensuring adherence to all fire safety guidelines. Communication, cooperation, and compliance will be key for these private operators as they navigate through the wildfire season.
For the outdoor recreation industry in BC, the wildfires present both challenges and learning opportunities. While it may impact short-term business operations due to the closure of certain sites and trails, the industry can also use this as a teachable moment, fostering greater awareness and respect for the natural environment among its clientele.
Now, let’s look at the specifics of the wildfires in Wells Gray Provincial Park. The most significant is the Kostal Cone wildfire, covering an expanse of 13,471 hectares. It recently merged with the nearby Majerus Lake wildfire and expanded predominantly to the east and northeast on July 18. However, the blaze has not spread toward the south or west.
The Pillpill Range wildfire, albeit smaller at around 439 hectares, is also uncontrolled. Its expansion has thankfully been hampered by recent rainfalls, a welcome reprieve in wildfire management. Similarly, the two-hectare Ovis Creek wildfire is out of control but has shown decreased activity following the weekend precipitation.
In contrast, the Murtle Lake wildfire, situated on the eastern side of the lake and spanning approximately 1,270 hectares, is currently under control.
The situation in Wells Gray Provincial Park is a stark reminder of the dynamic, sometimes volatile, nature of our environment. It demands strategic thinking from government agencies, private campground owners, and outdoor recreational businesses. The shared objective remains clear: ensuring public safety while understanding and respecting the ecological processes that wildfires, as destructive as they are, can sometimes aid.