This week I want to discuss what types of disaster could affect Bowen Island. Certainly visualizing scenarios helps us to plan and pack mindfully. The “Hazard, Risks and Vulnerability Assessment for Bowen,” highlights: earthquakes, epidemic and pandemic events, extreme weather events, marine accidents, power outages, rockfall, structure fire or wildland-Urban Interface fire, as areas to prepare for.
Stop. You might require a quick definition of “Wildland-Urban Interface.” Citizens are moving farther into "natural" areas to take advantage of the privacy, natural beauty, recreational opportunities and affordable living. Developers are building neighbourhoods to accommodate the influx. As a result, fire departments are fighting fires along the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) defined as areas where homes are built near or among lands prone to wildland fire. Depending on the area of the country, fire departments might refer to wildland fires as brush fires, forest fires, rangeland fires, or something else, however, they are all part of the WUI and all pose the same threat to local assets. The increase in the WUI threat has been steep because of continued development and exposure.
The WUI is not a place, but a set of conditions that can exist in nearly every community. It can be a major subdivision or it can be four homes on an open range. Certainly something for us to be aware of especially after such a long dry summer. With one main road across the island, this adds to the risk of being "cut-off" as it were.
I'm excited that a couple of neighbourhoods on the island are starting to meet, and discuss, what types of helpful equipment is in the neighbourhood, and ways of helping each other. Items such as generators, axes, crowbars, water sources, first aid supplies, wrenches for shutting off utilities.... as well as planning to help more vulnerable neighbours. This is such an important piece after looking after your immediate family's needs. Your generator might be buried, or burnt, so finding out who has what in your neighbourhood, is critical.
Also do a home hazard hunt to make your home safer. Secure appliances, and heavy furniture and move beds away from overhead objects like heavy mirrors and windows.
That's it for this week, and make sure to be fire safe! Prevention is the key on that one.!
PS: did you know that you can buy battery operated, hand cranked , or solar powered cell phone chargers? A definite asset in an emergency situation.
