Internal documents (Facilitated Learning Analyses - FLAs) from the BC Wildfire Service reveal that firefighters felt overwhelmed and feared deaths were 'inevitable' during the record-breaking 2023 wildfire season, which burned 28,000 sq km and killed six firefighters. The FLAs, obtained by The Globe and Mail, highlight concerns about overwork, inexperience, and inadequate training, particularly in incidents like the entrapment of five Brazilian firefighters and the deaths of Devyn Gale and Zak Muise. The service acknowledges the need for more support and is boosting training and full-time positions.
B.C. firefighters told investigators they feared deaths were ‘inevitable’ during 2023 wildfire season
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Internal documents (Facilitated Learning Analyses - FLAs) from the BC Wildfire Service reveal that firefighters felt overwhelmed and feared deaths were 'inevitable' during the record-breaking 2023 wildfire season, which burned 28,000 sq km and killed six firefighters. The FLAs, obtained by The Globe and Mail, highlight concerns about overwork, inexperience, and inadequate training, particularly in incidents like the entrapment of five Brazilian firefighters and the deaths of Devyn Gale and Zak Muise. The service acknowledges the need for more support and is boosting training and full-time positions.
Trending- 1 2023: Worst fire season in British Columbia's history; 28,000 sq km burned, 6 firefighters killed
- 2 July 13, 2023: Devyn Gale killed at Jordan River fire
- 3 Late July 2023: Zak Muise died in northeast B.C.
- 4 August 2023: Five Brazilian firefighters entrapped at Adams Lake wildfire in North Shuswap
- 5 Dec. 6, 2024: BC Wildfire Service in compliance with WorkSafeBC orders
- 6 2024: BC Wildfire Service staff experience improved to 72% (from 80% in 2023)
- 7 Friday (article date): The Globe and Mail obtained and reported on unredacted FLAs
- Six firefighter deaths in B.C. during 2023 season
- Increased awareness of dangers and systemic issues in wildfire fighting
- BC Wildfire Service is boosting internal training and creating full-time positions
- Public pressure for improved wildfire management and firefighter safety
What: Wildland firefighters in British Columbia expressed fears that deaths were 'inevitable' during the 2023 wildfire season due to overwhelming workload, inexperience, and inadequate training, as revealed in internal documents.
When: The 2023 wildfire season. Documents obtained and reported on Friday (article date).
Where: British Columbia, Canada, specifically Adams Lake wildfire, North Shuswap region, Jordan River fire near Revelstoke, and northeast B.C.
Why: The 2023 season was the worst in B.C.'s history, exacerbated by climate change, leading to overstretched resources, high turnover, and a perceived lack of readiness within the BC Wildfire Service.
How: Internal Facilitated Learning Analyses (FLAs) documented firefighters' concerns and specific incidents (Brazilian firefighters' entrapment, deaths of Devyn Gale and Zak Muise), highlighting systemic issues like lack of written burn plans, uncertified specialists, and poor safety adherence.