Detection

Wildfires are detected and reported to the B.C. Wildfire Wildfire Management Branch through a variety of methods: general public, air patrols, fire wardens, infrared technology, computer technology and lookout stations.

Air patrols, consisting of a pilot and trained fire-spotter, fly predetermined routes over remote areas during periods of high fire danger, or following lightning activity. Commercial and recreational pilots also report wildfires.

Fire Wardens

Fire wardens are an important resource for detecting fires in areas that have a high fire risk. There are approximately 400 fire wardens across British Columbia who are hired by the B.C. Forest Service on an "as-needed" basis during heavy forest fire activity. These fire wardens are scattered across the province like an auxiliary police force. Fire Wardens enhance the Wildfire Management Branch by participating in a variety of program areas such as fire operations, prevention and detection. Fire wardens have the authority of a fire official and may enter private land to put out fires, and many of the more experienced fire wardens have achieved Incident Commander certification. Fire wardens are hired for individual fires or on stand-by during busy fire periods.

Infrared Technology

Wildfires in their initial stages are not always visible by normal means. The BC Forest Service utilizes both ground personnel and aircraft with thermal imaging technology to assist in fire operations. Thermal imaging can be utilized for detecting spot fires and areas of residual fire on larger fires, boundary establishment, fire mapping and fire progression.

The B.C. Forest Service has an advanced fire management computer system which allows us to:

• obtain current weather information;
• determine the location of lightning strikes;
• predict the probability and location of wildfires;
• predict how a particular wildfire may spread and at what rate; and
• measure the amount of moisture in the fuels on the forest floor and in the deep soil.

One of the ways fires are detected is by lookout stations. These are situated at a location with extensive visibility and have associated structures manned by a lookout person whose prime purpose is to locate and report wildfires.

A network of approximately 70 of these stations are spread throughout the province. Some stations are interlocked closely enough together to provide for "triangulation" on wildfires, other stations are placed individually and alone provide coverage in more remote areas.

Primary Lookouts

Primary lookouts are those lookout stations established as part of the main detection system, situated on accurately surveyed prominent sites to provide constant surveillance over areas of high fire incidence and/or high values.

Staffing of primary lookouts is not normally maintained continuously throughout the fire season of April 15 to October 15th, but only as required according to:

• weather conditions;
• fire danger within station's geographic coverage area;
• degree of detection readiness established as the Fire Centre/Zone standard.

Each station is provided with communications and equipped with an accurately oriented fire finder, allowing the observer to take precise bearings on detected smokes.

The buildings are designed to give the best practical visibility in all directions and to provide reasonably comfortable living quarters for the lookout observer. To accomplish both purposes, the lookout itself may consist of a dual-purpose building with the observation room combined with/or above the living quarters, or where necessary to increase elevation, the observation room may be mounted on a tower and the living quarters provided in a separate building.

Access to primary lookouts is either by vehicle or helicopter.

Secondary Lookouts

In broken mountainous country, primary lookouts will not provide coverage over the entire area for which observation is required. In most cases , the area visible to the primary lookout observer is less than 50%. In these cases supplementary or "secondary" lookouts will be established.

Secondary lookouts are situated on prominent sites to cover the "blind" areas of primary lookouts and are staffed only as occasion demands during periods of a high danger rating to supplement the main detection system.

Secondary lookouts are provided with radio communications and may be provided with a fire finder, although in most cases bearings on fires are found using panoramic photos and a compass.

These lookouts are less built-up than primary lookouts and usually have only temporary buildings. Access is normally via helicopter.

Role of Lookout Observer

The role of the lookout observer is to provide early detection and accurate reporting on the location, observed behaviour, and wind conditions of all potential forest fires within an assigned geographic area, and to provide continued observation on the progress and behaviour of the forest fires until fire control personnel arrive at the fire location.

Observers must possess a good deal of stamina to enable them to stand for much of the day and endure extended periods of intense, concentrated observation of the surrounding country. Only a highly self-motivated person can overcome the loneliness and sometimes monotonous routines often associated with the lookout station life.

If you are interested in becoming involved with the lookout program, contact your local fire centre. Click on the Telephone/Address link at the top of this screen to find your closest fire centre's phone number.

Related Information

• Lookouts in the Cariboo Fire Centre