Timmins 9 Wildfire: Evaucation Experience, Preparedness, and Lessons Learned

Conflict of Interest Declaration: Nothing to Disclose

Presenters: Nancy Lightfoot

Title of Presentation: Timmins 9 Wildfire: Evacuation Experience, Preparedness, and Lessons Learned

I have no financial or personal relationships to disclose

Study Team• Nancy Lightfoot, School of Rural & Northern Health, Laurentian

University• Ido Vettoretti, Sudbury & District Health Unit• Leigh MacEwan, School of Social Work, Laurentian University• Judith Kulig, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Lethbridge• Bill Reimer , Dept. of Sociology & Anthropology, Concordia

University• Dana Edge, School of Nursing, Queen’s University• Ivan Townshend, Dept. of Geography, University of Lethbridge• Anna Pujadas-Botey, Alberta Centre for Child, Family, &

Community Research• Mary Ellen Hill, Centre for Rural & Northern Health Research,

Lakehead University

Introduction• Wildfire: an unplanned, unwanted wildland fire• Impact of experiencing wildfire can be substantial with

emotional impact greatest for those evacuated (Tally et al. 2013. Adm Policy Ment Health 40(5):348-354)

• Timmins 9 wildfire (http://www.timminspress.com/2013/01/02/timmins-9-fire-voted-top-story-of-2012; http://www.timminstimes.com/2012/05/20/timmins-fire-no-9-now-the-largest-fire-in-ontario-25000-hectares-photos):

– Largest wildfire in area in decades ( ~ 40,000 hectares, > 70 km)– Originated near Gogama Unit Rd. on May 20, 2012– MNR, local & provincial police, city officials involved– Fire out over 6 months later– Shining Tree & Westree (midway between Sudbury & Timmins in NEO)

experienced partial mandatory evacuations

Introduction

• Local MNR used Shining Tree Elementary School as base camp for firefighting

• Presentation focuses on qualitative results from the Shining Tree & Westree focus group & tips about wildfire preparation, evacuation, & returning home

Study Objective & Methods• Objective:

– To describe the impact of wildfire evacuation experiences of two small rural northeastern Ontario (NEO) communities in the summer of 2012 & provide suggestions for a resource brochure for future wildfire preparation & evacuation experiences

• Qualitative Methods: – 1 focus group, held at Shining Tree Public School, included 4

participants from Shining Tree (2 were married) & 4 from Westree (2 were married)

– Facilitator from Sudbury & District Health Unit– Thematic analysis utilized that informed preparation of resource

brochure

1. Evacuation: Communication Issues, Stress, Process

• Uncertainty & communication about evacuation: – “It’s nice to hear from your neighbour that yes, you might have

to move to get out but, [but good to hear from] somebody that’s from authority” (Person 5).

– “Came said we might have to [go], then when he came at 7 o’clock, he said you got 15 minutes to go” (Person 6).

1. Evacuation: Communication Issues, Stress, Process

• Stress of evacuation: – “It was very stressful, I mean, not knowing what’s

happening...especially to drive that far in the dark “ (Person 5).

• Where to go (evacuation routes unknown): – “I think I just want to know which direction to go to get out of

here” (Person 2).

2. Concerns about Family Pet Evacuation

• How pet owners react to evacuation: - “If he [the dog] can’t go, we won’t go” (Person 8).

3. Reactions to Whether or Not to Comply with Mandatory Evacuation

• Implications for refusal to leave: – “No, they would charge you if you stayed” (Person 6).

• For future evacuations: – Some indicated they would leave: “I would leave, I would not

put my life at risk” (Person 5). – Some thought others might try to fight the fire themselves:

“Some people, say they live next to a lake, and I got a pump, I can fight the fire, I can spray a little bit of water” (Person 7).

4. Concern about Looting of Empty Evacuated Residences & Residence Loss

• Concern about who would look after their places to prevent robberies in their absence: – “The only thing when you evacuate, like when they were talking

here and one of the guys who was with me...at that time, and he was more concerned if he leaves the place, who is going to look after it? Afraid someone was going to break into it eh… he’s evacuated and the fire not here yet, and people could know there is nobody there…but he said the police, the OPP were here...they were checking houses” (Person 4).

4. Concern about Looting of Empty Evacuated Homes & Residence Loss

• Lack of information about fate of properties & how to find out: – “I mean you wonder, I mean, we didn’t know what was going

on and I mean did it burn down, it took 3,4 days” (Person 5).– “We were worried if our property was safe or not...just phone

you phone, and if the phone rings it’s still there” (Person 7).

5. Criticism of Basic Evacuation Plans

• Evacuation plan comment: – Some indicated there were fairly basic evacuation plans:

• “At the school we have an evacuation plan, for fire…The kids and the staff go and meet at the MTO building, it just really evacuates us from here, there is no other plan” (Person 1).

6. Greater Reliance upon Neighbours vs. Authorities for Assistance during Evacuations & Wildfires

• More assistance from neighbours than officials during evacuation: – “I don’t know if the OPP would help because we only see them

driving” (Person 3). – “It’s pretty much neighbours would just come together” (Person

1).

7. Mixed Messages about Timing of Return to Residences & Routes of Return

• People were anxious to return home, but had mixed messages from different authorities: – “Yea, at one point we phoned and every morning we were

phoning to see if we were allowed to and they said yes, your allowed at noon, so at noon we drove all the way from Sudbury, so we come across at 568 and then there was no barrier or nothing, so we get to past the mill and there’s a barrier out there, so we did go through because she said you were allowed to go, then we get at 560 and the cops were there and there was no way you could cross...no, you can’t go back home, so we went all the way back to Timmins...it was just me and my husband and our dog” (Person 5).

8. Lack of Interest in Controlling Vegetation Near Houses for Future Preparedness

• Lack of interest in controlling trees and brush near houses: – “I never come up here to cut trees...If I am scared of my house

burning down, because ah, I would go live in the desert, it’s just something you got to live with...I’ve got trees that almost reach my roof on the side” (Person 4).

– “I mean you don’t cut the trees down” (Person 1).

9. Interest in Learning about Disaster Preparation Kits

• More information about 72 emergency preparedness kits: – “I would like to know more about ah exactly those 72 hour kits

and how to prepare...ah being prepared for at least 3 days, you know, that kind of thing” (Person 1).

Resource Brochure• Tips and tactics for prevention & emergency preparedness for

wildfires (brochure handout)

• Information included: – potential causes of wildfires (e.g., dry grass, sticks, leaves easily

ignited, human activity due to unsafe burning, sparks, smoking, arson camping lightning)

– potential health effects (e.g., respiratory damage & death from smoke & fumes, cardiovascular symptoms (chest pain, rapid heart rate, fatigue), psychiatric (e.g., PTSD, depression, anxiety, phobias))

Resource Brochure

• How to prevent wildfires & prepare homes in advance:• home interior:

– functioning smoke alarms in all bedrooms & main living areas; – fire extinguisher & knowledge of use; – keep flammable window covering away from heat sources; – cover exposed junction boxes; – inspect furnace & clean ducts annually; regular cleaning of dryer ducts; – properly store & avoid spilling flammable liquids & store away from

appliances• Ensure have family plan for escape routes & agreed locations to meet• Ensure all family members know about: STOP, DROP, & ROLL in case clothes

catch on fire

Resource Brochure

• home exterior: • don’t connect wooden fencing to home; • never leave campfire unattended; • care when using lanterns, stoves, heaters; • ensure lighting & heating devices cool before refueuling; • don’t throw away cigarettes, matches, & smoking materials from

moving vehicle or near forests; • follow local by-laws for burning yard waste, don’t burn in windy

conditions, keep shovel, water, fire retardant nearby; • use more native vegetation; • space trees at least 10 ft apart;

Resource Brochure

• home exterior:• remove dead/dying trees & shrubs, rake dead twigs & tree droppings; • keep trees & shrubs pruned; • mow lawn regularly & dispose of cuttings; • ask utility company to trim trees away from power lines; • remove debris from roof, gutters, eaves; • trim branches so don’t extend over roof or near chimney & use

chimney screen; • move firewood & fuel storage tanks 50 feet away from home & clear

10 ft areas around them; • consider installing pond & gas powered pump if in remote area; keep

garden hoses connected to faucets

Resource Brochure

– Steps to consider when a wildfire occurs or if caught:• if time, soak shrubs within 15 ft of home; • listen frequently to local radio stations; stay away from propane

tanks; use clothing or towel to extinguish flames if no big water buckets;

• don’t try to outrun fire, instead look for water to crouch in or find depressed, cleared area with little vegetation, lie low (until fire passes) & cover body with wet clothing, blanket, or soil, breathe air closest to ground, preferably through a moist cloth;

• if must break through fire, cover face & mouth with wet cloth (or dry if no water) & move as fast as possible through flames, & if clothes catch fire, extinguish by rolling and patting

Resource Brochure– How to prepare for, what to consider, during evacuation:

• if looks smoky outside & is before evacuation, early on if safe, stay inside with windows closed, use air conditioning or fans, drink lots of water, don’t smoke, wear long sleeves & long pants preferably made of cotton/wool;

• wear sturdy shoes/boots; • put pets in 1 room with window so can be evacuated quickly; • cover vents, windows, other openings with duct tape &/or precut

plywood;• turn off furnace or air conditioner

Resource Brochure

• How to prepare for, what to consider, during evacuation:• disconnect garage door openers, close windows, seal attic; close

garage windows & doors; • if told, evacuate immediately (with your emergency supplies kit)

or consider leaving early to avoid rush; • tell someone or leave message stating when you left & where

going; • choose route away from known fire hazards & watch for changes

in speed & fire & smoke direction

Resource Brochure• Contents of personal protection & prevention kit:

– Bottled water for 3 days (1 gallon per person per day)– Food that won’t spoil (e.g., dried, canned) for 3 days– Change of clothing & 1 blanket or sleeping bag per person– First aid kit that includes family & pet medications (enough for 2 weeks)– Personal medical information for each person– Emergency tools (e.g., battery-powered radio, flashlight, & plenty of extra

batteries)– Extra set of car keys, a credit card, cash, or cheques– Sanitation supplies & toiletries– Special items needed for infants, elderly, or disabled family members & pets– Extra pair of eye glasses & contact lenses– Important family documents (e.g., birth certificates, social security cards,

marriage certificates, deeds, insurance information, wills) in waterproof, fire-resistant container

– If you need special assistance during a possible fire due to health reasons or lack of transportation contact public or private sector organizations in your area to inform them

Resource Brochure

• When returning to residences:• if in doubt, throw food out where won’t attract animals; • keep children & pets away from ash; • wear gloves, mask, & long sleeved shirt & pants; thoroughly wash

children’s toys; • wash vegetables from outdoor garden; • avoid use of shop vacuums & leaf blowers

Discussion & Conclusions

Similar to Some of Our Other Wildfire Studies in Western Canada:

• [Barriere BC, Lost Creek, AB, La Ronge, Sask] Fires provided opportunity for communities to become more cohesive & supportive of one another

– (Kulig et al. 2013. Impacts of wildfires: aftermath at individual and community levels. Austr J Emergency Management 28(3):29-34; Kulig et al. 2011. Rural communities facing disasters: What have we learned? Municipal World 121(5):23-29).

• [Lost Creek, S Alta] Need to integrate all potential partners & leaders into process, right from beginning....Also importance of communication

– (Reimer et al. 2012. The Lost Creek Fire: managing social relations under disaster conditions. Disasters 37(2):317-332). Difference: Presence of effective leaders in Lost Creek Fire (SW Alta).

Discussion & Conclusions• Evacuation was stressful• Address numbers missing & even informal signs would help• Residents need better, clear & consistent communication

from authorities about evacuation timing (they thought notice was unreasonable), procedures, what to bring, where to call to find out about homes, & process to return home...communication with Timmins MNR problematic & media did not assist as their information was limited

• People also relied on communication from neighbours

Discussion & Conclusions

•Need to remember what medication to bring & what is needed for pets...& will not leave without their pets...communities & families need to plan ahead for evacuation & care for pets & livestock

•People wanted more information about 72 hour emergency preparedness kits

•Resource booklet & community lessons learned summary prepared

Discussion & Conclusions

• Similar to previous study in Barriere BC and La Ronge, Sask, need to advance understanding of community resilience to guide policy decision makers & determine links between individual & community levels of resilience (Kulig et al. 2013. Community resiliency: emerging theoretical insights. J Community Psychol 41(6):758-775).

• Consider other interventions that could support northern communities that experience wildfires & evacuations