Harrison Hot Springs Mayor Ed Wood has declared a State of Local Emergency (SOLE) for the village.
The declaration on Tuesday (May 21) morning relates to the threat of wildfires, with the mayor stating that the threat of interface wildfire poses an imminent threat to loss of life and property within the village’s boundaries. Wood stated the threat prompts the need for quick action and special regulations in order to protect the village and health and safety of its residents and their property.
“I want to stress that this is a proactive versus a reactive measure,” Wood said during a special council meeting on Tuesday morning. “We are a resort community and can have up to 20,000 people here at a time. We have no evacuation route, no fuel management. We need some urgent, emergency coordination to start immediately so we are ready for the perceived fire weather that’s going to come.”
In a statement, Wood said he met with mayors from across the province and with the Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness on Friday, May 17.
“Bureaucracy and inaction of council has hindered the village’s efforts to clear the East Sector area of fuel,” Wood stated. “The village is located in a valley that is heavily treed on both sides. Threatening wildfires appear to be starting earlier and earlier each year in the province, and it is time to change the way we approach emergency management.”
Wood also called upon the province to change the strategy it takes on fuel management and wildfire prevention.
The mayor stressed there are currently no evacuation ordered or air quality concerns in the area, and no action is required by council at this time.
He said entered into a contact with Sensenet for the installation of 100 sensors, five gateways and three cameras is expected within the next few weeks to detect potential wildfire activity in the village.
The estimated cost is approximately $175,000, including the first year of licensing. It was that expense that caused Couns. Michie Vidal and Allan Jackson to object.
Vidal read from the Emergency Act, saying she did not believe the village was in imminent danger.
“Mayor Wood, with all respect, this appears to be, to me, nothing more than a retaliatory action against a senior member of this staff and a huge overreach and abuse of your authority,” she said.
Jackson wanted to review the financial implications of entering into the Sensenet contract, but Wood ruled the inquiry to the chief financial officer out of order.
“I”m not going to stay on the council while we have a dictator,” Jackson said.
“Order,” Wood replied.
“Don’t tell me order. I’m tired of it,” the councillor replied.
Jackson asked where the fuel cleaned up from the East Sector lands would go, but Wood ruled this question out of order.
The village has also entered a contract with a registered professional forester to clear fuel along a 50-metre stretch on McCombs Drive/Eagle Street from McPherson road to Naismith Avenue. The efforts involve Crown, village and private property.
“This declaration is made proactively to protect residents and visitors,” Wood said. “I am taking all necessary steps to remediate this situation and ensure that there is no impact to the community. I understand that there may be some questions or concerns from the public. The village is committed to keeping the public informed of any developments.”
The SOLE is expected to remain for at least two weeks, until the end of the day on June 4, with possibility for extension.
SOLEs are in place to expedite the regulatory process when time is of the essence. They are not uncommon in emergency situations such as natural disasters or catastrophic mechanical failure. Last year, Wood declared a SOLE when two of three water pumps gave out. In 2021, during the atmospheric river disaster, Kent Mayor Sylvia Pranger has declared a SOLE.
The Sts’ailes First Nation has also received a copy of the SOLE.
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