August has been an interesting and challenging month for many ATVBC members because of the wild fire situation. Due to the extreme dry conditions in many parts of the province, ATVBC, in early August, took the unprecedented step to recommend to its members that it might be a good time to postpone riding in the back country until the weather conditions change. It took our provincial government nearly two weeks to follow through on what we had been saying and issue a temporary ban for ORVs in some of the province’s back country.
In my opinion, the prohibition did not go far enough. Banning ORVs, while allowing other motorised vehicles to access the back country, really did not achieve a risk reduction for wildfire starts. Once again, it is a case of ORVs being unfairly singled out. Fire ignition risks can potentially arise from any and all motorised vehicles.
If you look at the wildfire statistics, most fires are lightning caused, and while human caused is right behind this, there are many instances where these types of fires have nothing to do with ATVs or other motorised vehicles. According to the BC Wildfire Service, their 10-year average shows that only 3.9% of wildfires are caused by vehicles, and that is all vehicles, including those that catch fire on the Coquihalla Highway. As one of our members stated recently, “Prohibitions should affect all user groups equally”. To add insult to injury, commercial ATV tour operators were not banned from taking their tour groups out into the back country.
Also interesting is that this has caught the attention of the media, and I have been approached by at least three media outlets to provide comment on the prohibition. My response, is reflected in my statements above. I stand to be corrected, but on doing some research and talking with my counterparts from across Canada, no one can definitively say that an ATV or SxS actually caused a fire as a result of an exhaust or any other means. These machines are specifically designed to operate in the back country without starting fires, e.g. exhaust guards, elevated exhaust systems, spark arrestors, cooler exhaust temperatures, and large rubber tires among other things. One has to wonder if this is not just another attempt to limit access for ORVs to the back country and our beloved trails.
On a positive note, the BC Wildfire Service has reached out to ATVBC and other groups such as BCORMA, ORCBC, and 4WDABC and has provided a liaison to enable us to put forward any concerns or questions we might have, particularly as it relates to the current prohibition. I have sat in on a couple of meetings with clubs and this person, and while we did not completely achieve what was intended, at least we had a sympathetic ear and an assurance that they would work with us to address the concerns that were raised. One of which is whether or not the 108 Club will be able to host the 25th anniversary jamboree and the rides they have planned. A firm decision on the current prohibitions should be provided by the end of the month.
Speaking on 108 Mile, we are now a little less than two weeks to the Annual General Meeting being hosted by the 108-Mile ATV Club and it is a go!! This is our next big event, so if you haven’t registered yet, please don’t wait. I know Mark Redl, ATVBC Director and President of the 108 Club has, with his team, put a lot of effort into making this a great event.
Hope to see you there!!
Respectfully submitted
Chris DSilva
