To the editor:
The Jasper fire was so bad that firefighters, except for the ones with
their own air-packs, or own air supply, had to leave.
their own air-packs, or own air supply, had to leave.
No human lives were lost. But what about wild life?
A wild life biologist, in an article, stated "large animals can simply
run for it. Smaller animals tend to hide underground or in sheltered
places within the burn, such as tunnels, stumps, root holes, pathways
under moist forest litter and spaces under rocks."
run for it. Smaller animals tend to hide underground or in sheltered
places within the burn, such as tunnels, stumps, root holes, pathways
under moist forest litter and spaces under rocks."
And "Typically, the most affected are the slower-moving species, like turtles, badgers, and
elderly and very young animals who are unable to escape." It also stated
that fleeing the flames stresses the animals.
elderly and very young animals who are unable to escape." It also stated
that fleeing the flames stresses the animals.
All of that may be correct for a slow moving wildfire, but in this case
it was fires combining and moving very fast.
it was fires combining and moving very fast.
I wonder how many animals, from the smallest to the largest, lost not only their homes, if they
were "lucky" and did not get burned or lost all their food, and due to
the firestorm, and it using all the oxygen - suffocated.
were "lucky" and did not get burned or lost all their food, and due to
the firestorm, and it using all the oxygen - suffocated.
Those "lucky" ones have no food, may stave in winter, some may even die a slow death,
due to injuries.
In context that fire is now, at the end of July, at more than 32,500 hectares,or 325
square km.
To put it in context for the greater Terrace area, if a fire starts at the
airport, all of Terrace and Thornhill is evacuated in less than two
days. After three days, most of the area is gone, including several
houses.
Martin Holzbauer,
Thornhill, B.C.
due to injuries.
In context that fire is now, at the end of July, at more than 32,500 hectares,or 325
square km.
To put it in context for the greater Terrace area, if a fire starts at the
airport, all of Terrace and Thornhill is evacuated in less than two
days. After three days, most of the area is gone, including several
houses.
Martin Holzbauer,
Thornhill, B.C.
