In the Keremeos fire protection area, firefighters face some uniquely Similkameen conditions when it comes to interface fires in the area.

“We deal more with wildland fire threat adjacent to structures rather than forest fire threats,” noted Keremeos Training Officer Doug Macleod.

“It creates a unique issue, as we will be dealing with a fast spreading fire.”

Call outs are up in Keremeos this year, as the department has had to deal with several grass fires in the area. Some of those have gotten into stands of timber, which have been very difficult to bring under control.

“Olalla is a source of major concern for the Keremeos department,” MacLeod said. “There is big threat to the village from fire starting within or from beyond the village limits.”

Olalla’s threat comes from the large number of modular homes spaced closely together, amidst scattered stands of ponderosa pine. The trees in the Similkameen valley are under siege like those of the Okanagan - pine beetle, tussock moth infestations and drought have left many trees in the valley floor dry and unhealthy. In addition to these threats, ground fuels abound in Olalla.

“Cawston and Keremeos have areas of concern along the river dike,” Macleod oberved. “The two parks - Kobau and Pine - attract barbeques and other activities, and the riparian interface along the dike is at risk from careless hikers.

We don’t have a wall of red (beetle killed pine ) like West Kelowna had with the Glen Rosa fires, but the trees we have are under stress.”

MacLeod noted that people are still lighting campfires in the area, in spite of a recent all encompassing fire ban.

“People need to understand that a campfire pit can stay hot for a couple of days,” MacLeod added. “The Keremeos department is stressing to people these days to call 911 if you see or smell smoke, and not to delay. Pick up a fire smart brochure from the village and take measures to get rid of ignition sources from your yard.”

MacLeod noted that during the 2003 fires, many homes burned because bark mulch surrounding the house caught fire.

“Sparks are what ignited many, if not most of the homes,” he said. “Many people don’t realize that sparks can travel up to two kilometres in an intense fire.”

The Keremeos Volunteer Fire Department took additional training in interface fire control last spring, something that may come in handy if the present weather conditions continue. In the meantime, the department continues to stress the need for pre planning and preparation in order to mitigate potential issues should a wildland fire threaten residents in the Similkameen.

“Get rid of pine needles and flammables from around the perimeter of your home,” MacLeod concluded, “and remember that the campfire ban is on for a reason. Anything that can spark, or create a spark, is a threat that needs to be eliminated.”