The wildfire in the Ostrea Lake area highlights both the strengths and weaknesses in our response to these events. This post aims to highlight some of the strengths and areas for improvement. We learn from each event to reinforce good practices and identify areas for improvement next time.
First, thank you to those who responded (front-line and behind the scenes).
So what do we take a way from this?
Areas to Improve
First, the things we need to do better.
The closure of the Ostrea Lake Road illustrated the relative fragility of the road network in the area. Our first area of improvement involves the need for multiple exit routes out of an impacted area. While the Ostrea Lake Road / West Jeddore Crossing road provides some opportunities, those south of the road are caught in the area. Some thought may want to be given to extending Ostrea Lake Road from Pleasant point across towards Lower West Jeddore.
The closure of the highway, albeit briefly, illustrates the fragility of the road network. The closure of Highway 7 near Smith’s Settlement meant that those residents east of the incident were cut off from many emergency services (such as hospitals). Routing traffic around this event involves routing from 357 and back to Hwy 7 near Tangier. This “detour” is not only lengthy, but involves back roads, lacks signage, and has very limited (if any) gas stations. Improving the alternate routes along the coast should be integrated into the province’s plans.
The fire failed to appear on the ArcGIS system until later Monday. The system indicates that updates are completed around 1700 hrs. Updating this system, and other similar tools, should not be something limited to work days or business hours.
Alerts were inconsistent and should be improved. Alerts inform of hazardous conditions or impacts. Highway closures for this purpose should involve more than simply social media. These alerts could serve to help reduce traffic congestion into and out of the area, something that fire crews and other first responders don’t need when dealing with the challenging circumstances.
Other issues, like having to go back for pets, is another topic for another day…
Areas that Went Well
There are a lot of things that people did well.
First, the fire was contained pretty quickly with a relatively small crew. Similarly, controlling the movement into and out of the area also seemed pretty well sorted out.
The supporting services, whether the Care Centre or the efforts by Tim Horton’s, provided a backstop for those affected.
Once communications got up and running, information came out periodically.
Tools for Next Time
The Resources page has several links. This includes the Firesmart Canada program, the Canadian Wildfire Information System and the provincial wildfire maps. For property owners, take a read through the Firesmart program as it contains a wealth of resources to help you protect your property. Links to the National Fire Prevention Association’s online courses can be found here.
Obviously, there are the NS Fire restriction maps. That being said, an element of common sense applies. Things like unattended fires, tossing lit cigarette butts into ditches, and other such things shouldn’t be happening within the adult (or any) community this time of year.
The Current Conditions has links that focus more on things like what’s going on around you.
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