108 Mile Ranch Wildfire Risk Management Plan

The Wildfire Risk in 108 Mile Ranch

108 Mile Ranch is densely packed with many tall trees.

In a scenario where there is an exceptionally hot and dry summer, this becomes a serious wildfire risk.

Population

100 Mile House represents the town center for a large area that includes several different communities in the surrounding area. While most of these people do not live in 100 Mile House directly, it is the town center with hospital, ambulance, police, main grocery stores, recreation center, and more.

According to the most recent federal census data (2021):

• 100 Mile House: 1,928
• Cariboo G, Regional district electoral area had a population of 5,312
  • 108 Mile Ranch (Mile 108 Recreational Ranch (Unincorporated place): 2,597
    • Includes 105 Mile area
  • 103 Mile: 538
  • Lac la Hache: 281
• Cariboo L, Regional district electoral area (RDA): 4,769
  • Lone Butte: 285
  • Horse Lake
  • Interlakes
  • Sheridan Lake
  • Bridge Lake
  • Deka Lake
• Cariboo H, Regional district electoral area (RDA): 1884
  • Forest Grove: 338
  • Gateway / Buffalo Creek: 610

Total of: 100 Mile House (1,928) Cariboo G (5,312) plus Cariboo L (4,769) plus Cariboo H (1,884): 13,893

Therefore, 108 Mile Ranch represents about 18.7% of the entire population in the 100 Mile House area.

Property Value

According to the census data, there are about 1,155 usually occupied private residences (e.g. residences that are not vacation homes) in the 108 Mile Ranch area, which includes the 105 Mile Lake area.

According to realtor data, the typical market price of a house in 108 Mile Ranch is around $500K.

If a catastrophic wildfire burned through 108 Mile Ranch and destroyed the majority of the homes (e.g. 75%), that would be about $300M to $500M worth of damage.

Furthermore, in a scenario when most of the homes are destroyed but some of the main buildings survive, for example the school, the mall, the airport, those surviving buildings would lose much of their value. After all, if most of the homes in 108 Mile Ranch are destroyed, then there will be no customers to shop at the mall, and the mall would be forced to close operations.

FireSmart Home Ignition Zone

FireSmart Canada has defined a Home Ignition Zone, which shows how you can minimize your home and property’s vulnerability to wildland fire by addressing threats in each of the three priority zones

FireSmart Neighborhood Recognition Program

The Logan Lake Approach

Logan Lake BC has demonstrated a smart approach to proactive wildfire protection, which was led by the fire department.

The fire department worked with the community to install water sprinklers on most of the homes on the perimeter of the town.

Logan Lake requires all new homes built to have rooftop sprinklers.

Evactuation Plan

In the event of catastrophe, where will the approximately 2,500 residents of the 108 Mile Ranch area go?