Identifying Fires Before They Get Too Large

Fire! We all enjoy the natural beauty of the island, but we know that those trees and homes could be the source and fuel if a fire got away from our amazing Savary Island Volunteer Fire Department (SIVFD). Images of Fort McMurray, Lytton, and Jasper are definitely in our minds which causes us to worry.

We have, as a community, built up an effective SIVFD with three fire halls with loads of equipment, run by a dedicated trained team of volunteers. At the same time, we know that it might not be the sole solution if a major fire breaks out. So what to do? 

SILT believes we need to be open to new technology to identify fires before they get too large. Providing a tool that can alert our SIVFD team sooner could increase our protection significantly.  SILT member, Peter Armstong has made a motion that I, Liz, have seconded for the ASIC AGM.  We hope it will be positively received and that our community is as curious, as we are, about what fire prevention options are available.

Here is a document about SenseNet, a technology that provides early fire detection. And here is a proposal from SenseNet for Savary Island specifically. Please have a look.

We see this as a friendly motion, to investigate the technology, and report back on what might be possible.  Here is the motion as we submitted to ASIC and accepted for presentation July 5/25.

Dear ASIC Board of Directors:

Liz Webster and I respectfully submit the attached motion for consideration by the ASIC AGM 2025.

Fire Detection Technology Research Motion 

Rationale for the Motion is to investigate the viability and capabilities of Fire Detection technology to understand if is appropriate for Savary Island. And if it is a viable technology then propose how to operate and pay for the equipment. 

Motion:

Whereas Savary Island has massive number of trees, over 800 homes/structures and limited firefighting resources, with all citizens, forests and buildings being at risk from fires from natural or human causes, our community needs to investigate if new fire detecting technologies provide any additional protection worth the expense.

Be it resolved that ASIC in conjunction with the SIVFD, the regional district and residents establish a citizens committee of up to five people, to investigate what new technologies exist and if any are appropriate to increase the safety against fires on our island. Specifically the citizen committee will report out through ASIC on their findings. The findings should include, but not limited to, 

• What technologies exist, their operating experience and capabilities,

• Are any fire detection technologies appropriate for Savary Island,

• The thoughts of the SIVFD, ASIC, the regional district and any other organization that may provide advice, oversight, possible approval and possible source of funding,

• Establish the projected capital costs and ongoing operating, maintenance costs of such technologies,

• Recommendations as to how to fund the fire detection system, capital costs, operating costs and possible future upgrades. 

• And any other issues, concerns or opportunities related to the fire detection system.

This citizen committee while researching all aspects of the technologies will only make its finding known so that the appropriate authority can determine next steps.

The citizen committee should be all volunteer, with individuals that have the time, commitment to work on this project, represent the broader community, with special focus on fire fighting needs, skills to evaluate the technology and experience on fund raising.

The committee should report out to the ASIC community within 45 days of this motion passing.

So moved.

Peter Armstrong and Liz Webster 

Our Story

In 1995 a group of concerned Savary Islanders joined together with the goal to save the Heart of Savary - the last undivided and undeveloped wilderness on Savary - from becoming a gated community development. They established the Savary Island Land Trust Society in 1997. In 1998 SILT became a charity and received its first gifts of land. Since that time, SILT has acquired 23 lots across the island and nearly 43% of Savary is protected. Our successes are rooted in the vision of our founders, and the commitment of our donors, members, artists and volunteers.

We never lost sight of our first goal: the Heart of Savary. It took 22 years and the efforts and generosity of many islanders, the Friends of Savary, and SILT to raise the funds for the Nature Trust of BC to acquire the land for conservation in 2018. Thanks to each and everyone who helped and contributed to this community achievement.

Savary is the most ecologically rare and has the highest density of subdivision of any of the islands in the Salish Sea. Protecting wetlands, dunes, forests, meadows, springs and groundwater remain critical to the biodiversity and sustainability of the Island. In 2019, the Savary Island Nature Legacy Fund for land conservation was established with a gift from the Armstrong Family Foundation. Since that time, it has grown to $75,000. To donate click here.

To celebrate 25 years of SILT in 2022, we set up the the Savary Island Sustainability Fund. A donation to this fund will help SILT continue to protect nature on Savary, and offer stewardship education and activities to nurture a sense of place and connection for Savary Islanders now and into the future. To donate, please click here.

Savary Island is on the traditional territory of the Tla’amin, Klahoose and Homalco Nations.