Vigilant and selfless locals who recently went into action to help deal with a serious and potentially dangerous wildfire situation at Okeover Inlet deserve recognition and commendation, as do the professionals and volunteers who later took charge of the situation [“Three small wildfires highlight risk factors surrounding community,” August 10].
At 6 am on Monday, August 6, Malaspina Estates resident Mike Mullan spotted a large amount of smoke rising from a spot about 50 metres above the beach in the Bunster Hills 20 kilometres north of Powell River and across the inlet from Okeover Harbour Authority. He immediately called the BC Wildfire Service hotline and then travelled to the area in his boat.
His neighbours, including Al Collishaw, Rick Johnson and Tracy Smith, Eric Mak, Guy Normandeau, Bob Lewis and his daughter, and others grabbed water pumps, lines, buckets, shovels, and anything else they could find, and went to the fire in their own boats within a very short time.
People from Taylor Shellfish, travelling in their work boat, stopped, offered help and returned with more pumps. They were joined by other shellfish farmers from the area, including Andrew Harrington, Craig Warren, and Francois and Krystle Matthieu.
These few people set about pumping creek water and spraying a smoldering area of moss and underbrush about an acre in size, slowing down the fire considerably.
With instruction from a fire spotter, they proceeded to clear a perimeter to prevent the burn from spreading. By late morning the fire was reduced and contained. Northside Volunteer Fire Department had sent people in and there were firefighters brought in by helicopter from BC Wildfire Service.
The general public should have access to education and training in dealing with this type of emergency situation to augment an overstressed system, for self-protection, protection of others and of our environment.
Lynn Paris, administrator
Okeover Harbour Authority
