When the wildfire season began to kick into high gear this month, one couldn't help but think 'here we go again.'
Over the last several years it seems we deal with the same news every summer. Hundreds of wildfires burning across the province. Evacuation orders are being imposed. Smoky skies impacting health. Historic town, building or landmark lost in the fire.
This year it seems the community who has drawn the short straw is Jasper. On Monday, July 22 as two wildfires approached the iconic resort town, over 25,000 people were evacuated for safety. On Wednesday, July 24 one of those fires reached and engulfed parts of the town, burning businesses, homes and history. Close to a third of the town is thought to be lost.
One can't help but draw parallels to the wildfire that consumed Lytton in 2021. While that disaster happened over the course of a single day, there are many parallels. Like Lytton, Jasper's wildfire was sparked during an intense heatwave and the flames were pushed to the town by strong winds.
Thankfully, unlike in Lytton, firefighters were able to contain the damage and while Jasper has been maimed, it was not destroyed outright. That is little comfort to those who have lost their homes and businesses but at least there is something to rebuild.
None of this is an indictment on our brave wildfire firefighters, to be clear. As you read this thousands of them across the country are fighting hundreds of fires to ensure no more homes or communities are lost. Here in the South Cariboo, their focus was on the Twin Creek Wildfire south of 70 Mile House and the Moose Valley Wildfire in the Tatton area.
What this tragedy shows is we can no longer ignore the fact that the world has changed. Those who have lived here for decades will tell you that, before 2017, wildfires were not nearly as common or destructive. Indeed the fact we call the summer months 'wildfire season' demonstrates just how 'normal' this situation has become.
Our leaders must work to ensure by either mitigating climate change or beefing up the resources available to our firefighters. Otherwise, we'll be going 'here we go again' for years to come.
