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[VicHockeyFan]

Malahat subdivision faces fire risk
Langford fire chief questions protection plans for woodsy sites
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Font: * * * * Bill Cleverley, Times Colonist
Published: Thursday, November 23, 2006
A new subdivision being carved out on the Malahat could put Langford and Greater Victoria water district lands at risk of wildfires because of its lack of fire protection, says Langford Fire Chief Bob Beckett.

"I think we need to be extremely careful with that very beautiful and pristine area," Beckett said, pointing out that it borders on watershed properties and provincial park lands.

"Who's providing fire protection? What type of access do we have up there? Are there going to be adequate water supplies and flows up there?

"If the development was in Langford, there would be a number of requirements that would address fire protection concerns, but at the very least wildfire interface requirements in Langford are reasonable."

The 224-hectare, large-lot Goldstream Heights subdivision being developed on Langford's border is accessed through the Cowichan Valley Regional District from Stubbings Road off South Shawnigan Lake Road. It is located in the Capital Regional District's unincorporated Juan de Fuca electoral area.

Each of the approximately 44 lots, which range in size from two hectares to 44 hectares, is to be serviced by well water.

Juan de Fuca CRD director Erik Lund said there are plans to have fire protection contracted to the Malahat Volunteer Fire department, but there are questions.

"There's some concern that this development at Goldstream Heights won't be covered because they are too far away (from the Malahat fire hall). So we're still negotiating a satellite station or some other way of providing service for that area," Lund said. "I would like to see a fire hall there."

Lund said that, through the zoning process, the developer agreed to dedicate Wrigglesworth Lake for park and provide a site for a future fire hall. Under current zoning the land could be subdivided into 30-acre lots, he said, adding there is no requirement for fire protection to be in place.

"If they want to subdivide, they can do that and they certainly have to declare to anybody who buys it that there's no viable fire protection there," Lund said.

He said the danger of wildfire from Goldstream Heights is minimal because the entire area has been clearcut and water has to be proved on a lot before a house can be built.

Langford's wildfire interface regulations require the use of certain building materials (such as no shake roofs) and large fire breaks to reduce the risk of bush fires in areas where housing bumps up against wilderness. Langford council this week wrote a letter to the CRD protesting the removal of interface requirements in the Malahat area's official community plan.

Lund wasn't aware of any changes to the Malahat OCP dealing with wildfire interface and said he would have to read Langford council's letter before responding.

Beckett said it's one thing to set aside property for a fire hall, "but I'm wondering where the firefighters are going to come from for a fire hall that's servicing a subdivision of 40 homes."

[Holden West]

There's at least one new subdivision out near Qualicum with no fire protection. If your house burns you hope the neighbours help with a bucket brigade. If the fire threatens to get out of control and puts the surrounding forest at risk, a helicopter (presumably a logging company's) will come and save the trees.

Gotta love those low taxes, though!

[Baro]

Woah, libertarian paradise. If the poeple want fire protection, they'll buy a private company to do it.

[D.L.]

was just up there at a party last night. there are incredible views of the city and even over to the mainland. the landscape is really torn apart though.

[Caramia]

hehe Langford is complaining because developments outside their boundaries don't follow the same precautions and rules. That seems ironic to me.

[Mike K.]

According to the website (http://www.goldstreamheights.com), lot 15 is now reserved for a firehall.