Firestorm 2003: Provincial Review

At the time, the summer of 2003 was the worst ever for forest fires in British Columbia. Abnormally hot, dry weather resulted in over 2,500 wildfire starts over a vast area, mostly in the Interior of the province. Interface fires, which occur in places where wildland meets urban development, were at an all-time record high, destroying over 334 homes and many businesses, and forcing the evacuation of over 45,000 people. The total cost of the Firestorm is estimated at $700 million. The greatest cost of all was the loss of the lives of three pilots who died in the line of duty. The Firestorm 2003 Provincial Review was established by the provincial government to evaluate the overall response to the emergency and make recommendations for improvement in time for the next fire season. Our findings and recommendations cross all levels of government: federal, provincial, municipal and regional, and are also aimed at individuals.