Wildfire audit of oil and gas sites near Fort St. John

VICTORIA – The Forest Practices Board will audit the fire protection activities of oil and gas operators in the Lower Beatton Landscape Unit, in the Peace district, during the week of Sept. 21, 2015, for compliance with the Wildfire Act.

The audit will include whether the operators have completed fire hazard assessments, treated any identified forest fuel hazards, and have sufficient fire suppression tools and water delivery systems on active sites

The audit area covers 500,000 hectares, surrounded by the Halfway River to the west, the Blueberry River to the north, the Peace River to the south and the Alberta border to the east.

Once the audit work is completed, a report will be prepared, and any party that may be adversely affected by the audit findings will have a chance to respond. The board’s final report and recommendations then will be released to the public and government.

The Forest Practices Board is B.C.’s independent watchdog for sound forest and range practices, reporting its findings and recommendations directly to the public and government.

The board audits forest and range practices on public land, as well as appropriateness of government enforcement.

More information can be obtained by contacting:

Darlene Oman
Communications
Forest Practices Board
Phone: 250 213-4705 / 1 800 994-5899