How Costly are B.C.’s Wildfires?
Prince George, B.C. – Ever wonder what it costs to fight wildfires in B.C.?
After the government initially declined to provide the cost at this point in the current fire season, Premier Christy Clark finally tweeted late Wednesday afternoon it costs the government $3.5 million a day, adding this summer is the driest since 1958.
In an email to 250 News the government says they have allocated $63 million for Direct Fires for the 2014/2015 fire season and adds the province "will always spend what's necessary to protect people and property."
However it's doubtful the budgeted allotment will be enough money to cover the tab for this summer, considering the province has spent less than $63 million on forest fires just twice the past ten years – in 2011 and 2005.
The most expensive year was 2003 when they spent just over $371 million. Meanwhile, on average, the province has spent $170.4 million per year fighting fires.
UPDATE:
Here are the detailed numbers for the past 10 years:
| Year | Cost ( in millions) |
| 2013 | $122.2 |
| 2012 | $133.6 |
| 2011 | $53.4 |
| 2010 | $212.1 |
| 2009 | $382.1 |
| 2008 | $82.1 |
| 2007 | $98.8 |
| 2006 | $159.0 |
| 2005 | $47.2 |
| 2004 | $64.5 |
| 2003 | $371.2 |
Comments
This is crazy! We have money for this but we won’t bow down to the exorbitant demands of the BCTF!
People 1st!
:)
Well now they have the money to fight forest fires because they don’t have to pay the teachers!
Seriously though, I think it would be a lot more meaningful to see a year by year cost for the past decade or more rather then the average cost.
Where’s gus when you need him?
I’ve worked a lot of fires (as a contractor) and the amount of money pissed away is enough to bring a tear to your eye.
ram tough perineum knows what he is talking about.
Waste seems to be the one area that the Government has become expert in. In other areas they are at best mediocre.
Thanks for the update!
They only allocated $63M for this year even though the costs have only been under that figure twice in the past 10 years? Good grief!
400 million this year
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