Activity: The Protection Program, Ministry of Forests and Range provided Wildfire Origin and Cause Investigation training in British Columbia for six (6) Korean forestry officers representing both the Korea Forest Conservation Movement and South Korea Forest Service. The Wildfire Origin and Cause Investigation (FI-210) course is internationally recognized and used by the USA, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. The training program was delivered by Steve Grimaldi and Al Kneeland of the Ministry of Forests and Range, Protection Program. The training course took take place in Cranbrook and provided a combination of both classroom theory and practical field exercises. The field exercises included the ability to set small sample fires that demonstrated various incendiary/delayed ignition devices that are commonly used by arsonists. The officers from the Korea Forest Service and Korea Forest Conservation Movement benefited greatly from this 'field-oriented' training given that they are not permitted to set 'test' fires of this nature in their country - even if for instructional purposes. The Protection Program, Ministry of Forests and Range continues to collaborate with South Korea in pursuing a cooperative arrangement to facilitate further information sharing and technology transfer in the area of forestry and forest fire management.

Activity: Tim Sheldan, ADM Operations, Ministry of Forests and Range participated in the 4th International Symposium on Forest Resource Management and 1st International Workshop on Fire Management in Pinar del Rio, Cuba. Tim provided a paper and presentation on the Canadian Wildland Fire Strategy to international delegates representing forestry and fire management organizations from Argentina, Chile, Peru, Venezuela, Brazil, Mexico, Cuba, Korea, Philippines, Hungary, Spain, Finland and the USA. The event was sponsored by the United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and further contact is anticipated from the participating organizations.

Activity: Dr. Judi Beck, Manager, Fire Management, attended ECOFUEGO - 2nd Patagonia and 3rd Argentine Symposium on Fire Ecology and Management, as an invited guest speaker. The event was sponsored by the Andean Patagonian Forestry Research Institute (CIEFAP). Judi also participated in follow-up discussions regarding the development and implementation of Argentina's national fire danger rating system. Judi has been involved with the development of Argentina's fire danger rating system since the beginning of a CIDA-funded fire management project that took place 1999-2003. Since the end of this project, the Wildfire Management Branch has continued to cooperate with the National Fire Management Plan (PNMF) in Argentina. Recently a joint submission proposal was submitted to CIDA for additional funding to continue project extension work in Argentina. If approved, the CIDA funds will help finance other project areas of technology transfer, including worker certification, aircraft management and interface fire prevention. In addition, a draft formal arrangement (MOU) has also been developed to formalize various levels of cooperation and technology exchange between the Wildfire Management Branch and Argentina's fire management program in the years to come. It is anticipated that the final version of this arrangement will be signed before 2007.

Activity: Steve Grimaldi, Policy and Legal Officer, attended the 1st ICPO INTERPOL (International Police): International Meeting on Forest Fire Crime Investigation in Sabaudia, Italy. This is the first meeting that addresses fire crime being organized on an international level. The purpose of the meeting was to present information on how British Columbia is addressing legislation/regulations with intentionally caused wildfires and an opportunity to present information on investigative techniques and training used by the Ministry of Forests and Range. There was an opportunity for information exchange with other international government agencies which will assist in the development of modern techniques and analysis that benefit investigations in BC. It is anticipated that there will be future opportunities to market this training to the international community.

Activity: Bruce Noble attended an International Symposium on Aerial Firefighting in Botucatu, Brazil as an invited guest speaker. Bruce provided a presentation on the use of aircraft in firefighting operations, something of which Bruce brings many years of knowledge and experience. Bruce has provided similar presentations and training in Chile in 2001. In fact, it was through Bruce's training program in Chile that brought about the invitation for him to speak at the Brazilian symposium, since there was a Brazilian participant that attended Bruce's presentations in Chile. Bruce's participation in the international symposium in Brazil hopes to rejuvenate existing relations with fire management contacts in Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture and also to expand on previous dialogue with the Brazilian government's environment protection agencies to collaborate on a joint submission proposal to CIDA for funding of a fire management technology transfer project in Brazil.

Activity: Paolo Fiorucci and Francesco Gaetani, two researchers from the University of Genova visited the Wildfire Management Branch. The Italian representatives work on a team whose main research activity is forest fire risk assessment and management. Within a European Commission Integrated Project they are in charge of setting up a system for forest fire danger forecasts in a region which is characterized by complex topography and local weather conditions. The structure of the system under development is conceptually similar to that of the Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System (CFFDRS) and therefore, they wanted to visit the Wildfire Management Branch to better understand the practical application of the CFFDRS as used in BC. Presently, a draft Memorandum of Understanding is being developed between the University of Genova Research group, the Canadian Forest Service (University of Toronto) and the BC Forest Service, Wildfire Management Branch.

Activity: Malcolm Smith from New Zealand's Department of Conservation (DOC) visited the Wildfire Management Branch for approximately two weeks for an operational overview of Protection's wildland fire management program. More specifically, the tour consisted of an overview of the Provincial Air Tanker Centre, evaluation of helicopter operations in BC and a chance to visit some fires and see people and equipment at work. New Zealand's DOC is particularly interested in the multi-jurisdictional sharing of limited aircraft resources over a larger geographical area. Protection is presently working on a draft Arrangement with New Zealand to facilitate the technical exchange of personnel and resources. Most of Malcolm's time was spent in the Kamloops Fire Centre - thanks to all that assisted with Malcolm's educational tour.

Activity: A study tour for fifteen (15) fire managers representing various Australian State agencies through the Australasian Fire Authorities Council and the National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC) visited the Wildfire Management Branch. The NAFC was established in 2003 by participating Australian States and Territories to develop efficiencies in the sharing of expensive, specialized aerial firefighting resources. NAFC also plays a key role in the sharing of aerial firefighting resources between fire agencies throughout Australia, and in the development of national protocols and systems for aerial firefighting.

The Australian group came to the Wildfire Management Branch seeking exposure to our wildland fire management / air tanker management program and to assist them to develop some national 'best practice' standards. The focus of the tour was less on actual on-site operations and more to gain insight into strategic management issues. The tour consisted of a program overview at Protection Headquarters, followed by visits to Coulson Helicopters, SEI Industries (Bambi Bucket), Conair Aviation, Wildcat Helicopters, Rapattack Base, Firetrol and the Provincial Air Tanker Centre in Kamloops. The group also planned a subsequent visit to the west coast of the U.S. to talk to various aircraft practitioners and exchange ideas.

Activity: The British Columbia Forest Service, Wildfire Management Branch responded to an invitation from the Korea Forest Conservation Movement and the Korea Forest Service requesting the Wildfire Management Branch's participation in the delivery of presentations on the structure of the Incident Command System and Forest Fire Prevention at a Forest Fire Symposium in Seoul, Korea. Peter Fuglem, Director, British Columbia Forest Service, Wildfire Management Branch delivered presentations at the symposium which provided an overview of the international accepted Incident Command System and also provided a summary of interface fire prevention challenges in British Columbia. Subsequent cooperation with the Korea Forest Service has led to the development of a Cooperation Arrangement document that is to be finalized during a scheduled signing ceremony in Victoria, British Columbia in the spring of 2006.

Activity: Shawn Bethel, International Development Specialist, Protection Headquarters, Victoria and Mike Benson, Incident Commander 3, Lillooet Fire Zone provided a basic fire suppression training program for the State of Nuevo Leon's Civil Protection agency in Mexico. The 2005 training program was similar to that which was delivered in 2003 and is a continuation of activities outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding that was signed in the same year. The Civil Protection (CPE) organization responds to all municipal and state emergency incidents including wildfires and they are a well equipped and professional organization. In preparation for their fire season, the CPE requested that the Ministry of Forests and Range, Wildfire Management Program provide some training to new and returning recruits. The courses provided during the one week session included: Fundamentals of Fire Fighting, Fireline Safety, Chainsaw Use & Safety, Helicopter Safety and Helicopter Hover Exit procedures. The training program was attended by approximately 60 participants and included both theory and practical training components. The classroom and field training sessions were conducted in Spanish language. During the training program a serious fire started in a neighbouring state to the south of Nuevo Leon and the CPE were asked to assist. The training program was modified to see Mike Benson and Shawn Bethel travel to the State of San Luis de Potosi with team members of Nuevo Leon's CPE and provide assistance to the local agencies managing the incident and direct helicopter resources and water delivery efforts on the fire. The next stages of co-operation consists of the development of a proposal for a fire fighter exchange program that would see Mexican fire suppression personnel here in British Columbia in the summer of 2006.

Activity: In April 2005, the British Columbia Forest Service (BCFS), Wildfire Management Branch was requested by Forestal Mininco, a subsidiary of Paper and Cardboards Manufacturing Company (CMPC), to conduct an audit of the fire management capabilities of both Forestal Mininco (pine operations) and Monte Águila (eucalyptus operations). In May 2005 a three-member team from the British Columbia Forest Service, Wildfire Management Branch responded to Forestal Mininco's request for an audit and went to Chile to conduct evaluations of the fire prevention and control capabilities of both Forestal Mininco and Monte Águila. The purpose of the audit was to provide Forestal Mininco with an external opinion about their present ability to protect their forest assets from wildfire. Subsequent to the audit contract, Forestal Mininco began evaluating their aircraft resource allocation in fire suppression and is considering Wildfire Management Branch's expertise in the delivery of helicopter rappel training to augment the company's initial attack capabilities on remote forest fires in an effort to protect adjacent plantation lands.

Activity: Jose Larsen, Forestry Department Chief and Marcos Cordero, Regional Director from Chile's National Forestry Corporation (CONAF), Magallanes Region came to British Columbia for an overview of the Wildfire Management Branch's fire rehabilitation programs. The 4-day visit included an overview of Kamloops Fire Centre rehabilitation efforts and included guided tours with Steve Schell, Forest Protection Officer, Kamloops Fire Zone and provided a comprehensive overview of work conducted to date on the McLure Fire, McGillivary Fire and fuel management efforts at Sun Peaks resort. The tour was also assisted by Shelley Marsh, Fire Information Officer, Kamloops Fire Centre. Garnet Mierau from Linbir Consulting also provided detailed insight into the rehabilitation work conducted on the McLure fire. Additionally, Leo Gillich, Forest Protection Technician, Penticton Zone, also assisted by providing an overview of the rehabilitation efforts on the Okanagan Mountain Park fire. Both Chilean representatives were very appreciative for the information sharing session and lending of technical expertise on the subject. Both Jose and Marcos expressed that the visit far exceeded their expectations. Special thanks to our Protection staff and to Linbir consulting services for participating in the Chilean tour.

Activity: Following the efforts initiated through the CIDA funded Fire Management Technology Transfer project in Argentina 1999-2002, the British Columbia Forest Service, Wildfire Management Branch has continued cooperation efforts with Argentina's National Fire Management Plan (PNMF). In late October, Dave Marek, Fire Behaviour Specialist returned to Argentina representing the British Columbia Forest Service, Wildfire Management Branch to provide additional training and consulting with local officials towards assisting Argentina with the development of a national fire danger rating system. In addition, Jim Price, Superintendent of Fire Preparedness, traveled to Argentina to meet with PNMF senior staff to finalize a letter of intent that will be used to develop a Cooperation Arrangement. This arrangement with Argentina's PNMF will provide a framework for future technology transfer activities. These areas consist of fire suppression training, fire prevention and aircraft management.

Activity: Jim Price, Superintendent, Fire Preparedness, British Columbia Forest Service, Wildfire Management Branch met with forest industry, ministry of natural resources and fire/emergency response personnel in Uruguay for a meeting coordinated by the Canadian Embassy in Montevideo. The meeting was attended by the respective groups that play roles in Uruguay's national emergency system. The various groups provided presentations on their detection and early alert strategy. Collaboration between the groups provided for further elaboration of a General Action Plan for the Prevention, Alert and Suppression of Forest Fires for 2005/2006. Further side discussions took place which included the possibility of the British Columbia Forest Service, Wildfire Management Branch collaborating with local agencies, both public and private in Uruguay to develop fire mitigation strategies. Contacts have been established with the local agencies and the Canadian Embassy will be assisting where possible to facilitate the development of cooperation activities in the coming months.

Activity: Thirty-two forestry officials representing the Korea Forest Service visited the British Columbia Forest Service, Wildfire Management Branch for a program overview and tour of fire operations. Tour destinations include the Provincial Fire Control Centre and Provincial Fire Reporting Centre in Victoria, Kamloops Fire Centre and Provincial Air Tanker Centre in Kamloops and the Provincial Rappel Operations Centre in Salmon Arm. These study tours have been an ongoing activity that is provided to the Korea Forest Service each Spring since 1997 as part of their organizational development program.

Activity: Dr.Judi Beck, Fire Science Specialist returned to Malaysia and Indonesia to collaborate with the Canadian Forest Service in the delivery of additional application workshops through the CIDA-funded Southeast Asia Fire Danger Rating System Project, Malaysia and Indonesia Initiative. The new series of workshops, taking place in Kuala Kubu Bahru, Selangor, Malaysia between June 30-July 2 and Pontianak, West Kalimantan, Indonesia between July 7-9 were a continuation of training programs that took place in June 2003. The Applications Workshops signify the conclusion of technology transfer associated with the SE Asia FDRS project.

Activity: Twenty students from Sweden's Wildland Preparedness Education Program (AWPE), an emergency responder, fire and rescue training school located in Ange, Sweden, participated in a work experience program with the British Columbia Forest Service, Wildfire Management Branch during the 2004 fire season . The program consisted of orientation session, training exercises and an opportunity to work with experienced British Columbian fire fighters and assist with fire suppression activities on large-scale fires throughout the province. The work experience program allowed the Swedish wildland fire fighters to gain valuable practical fire suppression experience that they may not otherwise have been able to attain in Sweden. Discussions with Sweden's Wildland Fire and Rescue organization continue and it is anticipated that senior instructors from the British Columbia Forest Service, Wildfire Management Branch will provide training overseas in Sweden in the near future. It is also anticipated that a second work experience program will be conducted in British Columbia during the 2005 fire season.

Activity: Fire management officials from Chile's National Forestry Corporation (CONAF) invited Shawn Bethel, International Development Specialist, British Columbia Forest Service, Wildfire Management Branch to deliver presentations at a Fire Management Seminar in Los Angeles, Chile. This annual event was attended by over 80 senior fire managers representing both public and private sector from the various fire-prone regions throughout Chile. The presentations provided on behalf of the Wildfire Management Branch consisted of an overview of the Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System (lending on BCFS experience with implementation in Argentina through a CIDA-funded project 1999-2002) and the challenge of interface fires in British Columbia (highlighting the 2003 fire season). The presentations were approximately 1 hour each in duration and were delivered in Spanish language. Several meetings were also conducted outside of the scheduled seminar activities and consisted of discussions about the British Columbia Forest Service, Wildfire Management Branch's assistance with delivering helicopter rappel training for a private forestry plantation company and assisting with implementation of a modernized fire danger rating system for use in Chile.

Activity: The British Columbia Forest Service, Wildfire Management Branch donated two chainsaws to the town of Namwianga (south of the Zambian capital of Lusaka) for the purpose of assisting in the construction of a fuel break and fence around a 6,000 acre land plot which was recently purchased through the Zambian Mission Fund to facilitate the production of subsistence crops for the local town. Jon Knoop, a fire fighter with the Coastal Unit Crew was part of a 12-person team that went to Zambia from mid December until the first week of March. The team comprised volunteers from various walks of life who sponsor children through the Zambia Mission Fund-Canada. Jon provided chainsaw operations and safety courses to the local people before commencing the construction of the fire prevention activity. Good going Jon!

Activity: Steve Newton, Manager, Lillooet Fire Zone and Shawn Bethel, International Development Specialist, Protection Headquarters, Victoria, provided a basic fire suppression training program for the Government of Nuevo Leon, Mexico's Civil Protection agency. The Civil Protection (CPE) organization responds to all municipal and state emergency incidents including wildfires and are a well equipped, professional organization. In preparation for their fire season the CPE requested that the British Columbia Forest Service, Wildfire Management Branch provide instruction in several courses. The courses provided during the one week session included: Fundamentals of Fire Fighting, Fireline Safety, Chainsaw Use & Safety, Burning Off & Backfiring and Helicopter Hover Exit. The training program was attended by over 60 participants and included both theory and practical training components. The classroom and field training sessions were conducted primarily in Spanish language to accommodate the primarily Spanish-speaking participants. Additionally, the British Columbia Forest Service, Wildfire Management Branch and the State of Nuevo Leon's Civil Protection agency, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to serve as a foundation for future co-operation in training activities and development projects. The next stages of co-operation consists of the development of a proposal for a fire fighter exchange program that would see Mexican fire suppression personnel here in British Columbia in the summer of 2004.

Location: Parque Chipinque, Monterrey City, State of Nuevo Leon, Mexico

Activity: In June 2003, the Ministry of Forests, Wildfire Management Branch was contracted by the Canadian Forest Service (CFS) to collaborate on a technology transfer project in Malaysia funded by the Canadian International Development Agency. The CFS has been working with SE Asian partner countries for several years towards the development of a Southeast Asia Fire Danger Rating System. The contribution of the Ministry of Forests, Wildfire Management Branch was to assist with the fire management applications of the fire danger rating system in Malaysia. As one of Canada's foremost operational fire management agencies, the Ministry of Forests, British Columbia, has extensive experience in the area of using the Canadian Fire Danger Rating System to develop decision aids in support of operational fire management activities on a daily basis, and has considerable experience in supporting other countries with the adaptation of this technology. Dr.Judi Beck, Fire Science Specialist and Phil Taudin-Chabot, Fire Centre Manager, collaborated with Robert Field and Bill de Groot of the CFS to deliver various workshops to link operational activities to the outputs provided by the Fire Danger Rating System currently under development in peninsular Malaysia and the State of Sabah.

Location: Kuala Lumpur and Sandakan, Malaysia

Activity: In May 2003, the British Columbia Forest Service, Wildfire Management Branch was requested by Forestal Terranova, S.A. to conduct an audit of the forest fire protection capabilities of the forestry companies of Forestal Terranova - one of Latin America's largest forestry companies. In response to this request, in June 2003 a three-member team from the British Columbia Forest Service, Wildfire Management Branch consisting of Bruce Noble, Roy Simpson and Shawn Bethel, visited Forestal Terranova's plantation company operations in both Chile and Venezuela to conduct an audit.

The purpose of the audit was to provide Forestal Terranova with an external opinion about the performance of the different companies and their ability to protect its forest assets from the damages caused by fire. Various aspects of the companies’ protection programs were reviewed. More specifically, the audit involved a detailed evaluation of fire management strategies, fire prevention/detection systems, fire behaviour prediction capabilities, fire operations, including fire preparedness and response, fire suppression resources, associated manuals, policies and emergency planning. In addition, a brief overview was provided with particular respect to significant devastating fires that occurred in Chile and Venezuela in 1999 and 2003 respectively.

The overarching purpose of the audit was to identify the weaknesses in the ability of the companies of Forestal Terranova to protect forest assets from the threats of fire and provide recommendations towards improving the fire management capabilities in the areas analyzed. These observations and corresponding recommendations were summarized in a final audit report and submitted to Forestal Terranova in December 2003.

Activity: The BCFS Wildfire Management Branch team returned to Argentina to continue working with the Argentine project partners on the scheduled CIDA Project activities.

Dr. Judi Beck and Dave Marek returned to the pilot project areas of Chubut and Parque Lanin (northern Patagonia) and were pleased to learn that previous training delivered to this project area had been passed on to dozens of other fire suppression personnel. Fire Danger Rating signs were constructed and posted on roadsides to display the local fire weather conditions to the general public during the fire season 2001.

Tim Ewart and Shawn Bethel returned to the Fire Prevention pilot project area in Neuquen Province to deliver the final Spanish version of the Interface Fire Prevention Guides for the community of Villa La Angostura. The visit also facilitated the opportunity to conduct a CD ROM-based fire simulation exercise involving several of the local emergency response agencies in the municipality of Villa La Angostura.

Location: PNMF Headquarters, Buenos Aires
Esquel, Chubut Province
San Martin de los Andes / Parque Lanin / Villa La Angostura, Neuquen Province

Activity: Fifteen (15) representatives from Taiwan's National Fire Administration (NFA), Fire Suppression Department visited the BCFS Wildfire Management Branch in Victoria and the Coastal Fire Centre in Errington for a program overview and tour.

Taiwan recently acquired 23 helicopters (20 UH-1H and 3 Boeing 234). In order to service forest fires in Taiwan's mountainous terrain, the NFA purchased 23 Bambi-Buckets™ from SEI Industries in Delta, British Columbia. In addition, Taiwan purchased approximately 20 hoists for search and rescue operations. These hoists are the same make and model as those utilized by the BCFS Wildfire Management Branch's Rapattack Crew since 1995. It is anticipated that Taiwan will utilize the experience and knowledge of the Rapattack Program for future training programs in rappel and hoist operations.

Location: Wildfire Management Branch Headquarters, Victoria, British Columbia
Coastal Fire Centre, Errington, British Columbia

Activity: Jim Colley and Beverley Pinske from the BCFS Wildfire Management Branch travelled to New Zealand to provide systems enhancements to New Zealand's Rural Fire Service. The system support included installation and training for a weather data collection system complete with web based reports and graphs. This system was developed by the BCFS Wildfire Management Branch and originallly intended to be used exclusively in British Columbia, however, with some enhancements, it was able to also meet the requirements of the Rural Fire Service. These enhancements will be used for upgrades in British Columbia.

Activity: Mr. Vlaszak Lajos and Mr. Sziklai Ede of Hungary's Foundation for the Protection of Forests participated in an Air Attack Officer training program delivered by the British Columbia Forest Service, Wildfire Management Branch's Provincial Air Tanker Centre. The training took place in Kamloops, British Columbia and consisted of both theoretical and practical training for aerial fire suppression operations. The classroom sessions combined with flight exercises provided a thorough overview of the planning and strategy employed by British Columbia's air tanker fleet during fire missions. Mr. Vlaszak Lajos is the founding member of Hungary's Foundation for the Protection of Forests and he owns and operates aerial fire suppression aircraft at his airport in Kecskemet, Hungary. The Foundation for the Protection of Forests and the British Columbia Forest Service, Wildfire Management Branch plan to collaborate on future training opportunities.

Activity: Tim Ewart, Jim Price, Brian McIntosh, Jeff Moore and Shawn Bethel representing the BCFS Wildfire Management Branch conduct evaluation of multi-agency response to Interface Fires in a rural town in northern Patagonia. This activity is part of a Fire Management & Technology Transfer Project funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

Location: Headquarters in Buenos Aires.
Regional office in Bariloche, Rio Negro
Municipality Villa La Angostura, Neuquen

Activity: Tim Ewart, Brian McIntosh, Leigh Barratt and Shawn Bethel representing the BCFS Wildfire Management Branch conduct several training courses, presentations and fire risk evaluations in the following CIDA-funded project activities: Aircraft Resource Management, National Training Standard, Fire Danger Rating System, Interface Fire Prevention Guide.

Location: PNMF Headquarters in Buenos Aires.
Regional office in Bariloche, Rio Negro
Municipality of Villa La Angostura, Neuquen, and Misiones

Activity: Eight (8) delegates representing fire control agencies from five countries participate in Air Attack Officer (fixed wing), and Rotary Wing Bird Dog Officer (helicopter) courses to learn BCFS Wildfire Management Branch aerial fire suppression technology and techniques.

Location: Provincial Air Tanker Centre
Kamloops Fire Centre

Activity: Darrin Woods from New Zealand's Twizel Region to participate in BCFS Training Program, conduct research at the International Crown Fire Modeling Experiment in Northwest Territories, and work with BCFS fire crews on a four week Practical Attachment Program during peak fire activity.

Location: Southeast Fire Centre, Cranbrook Zone
Kamloops Fire Centre, Lillooett Zone
Coastal Fire Centre, Errington Zone
Rapattack Operations Centre

Activity: Fifty-four (54) forest officers from the Korea Forest Service participate in two separate tours (May/June) to tour BCFS fire control operations centres and local Canadian fire suppression equipment and technology manufacturers.

Location: Protection Headquarters, Victoria
Kamloops Fire Centre
Rapattack Operations Centre
SEI Industries
B.C. Institude of Technology

Activity: Shawn Bethel representing the BCFS Wildfire Management Branch provides presentations and discussions about BCFS forest fire control and prevention operations in Kecskemet, Hungary. The recently created 'Foundation for Protection of Forests' in Hungary is developing an air tanker program to serve as a 'centre of excellence' for Europe.

Location: Kecskemet Hungary, 100 km southeast of Budapest

Activity: Captain Claudio Ortiz and Leftenant Fabian Oviedo, helicopter pilots with the Argentine Air Force participate in aerial fire suppression course to improve safety and operational efficiency on wildfires in Argentina. This training activity is part of a CIDA-funded project.

Location: Provincial Air Tanker Centre
Rapattack Operation Centre
SEI Industries

Activity: Jim Price and Steve Levitt representing the BCFS Wildfire Management Branch meet with education officials and the Ministry of Environment in Buenos Aires to develop draft guidelines and an implementation plan for developing fire prevention education in childhood education programs in Argentina.

Location: PNMF Headquarters, Buenos Aires

Activity: Tim Ewart, Brian McIntosh, Leigh Barratt and Shawn Bethel representing the BCFS Wildfire Management Branch provide training and presentations to Argentine fire management personnel. The key areas of training and presentations consist of:

• Prevention - delivery of a "final draft" for a Interface Fire Prevention Guide for the community of Villa La Angostura, Neuquen Province, Patagonia,
• Aviation - hover exits from hovering helicopters,
• National Training Standard - Introduction to the internationally recognized Incident Command Systems "Train-the-trainer" courses.

Location: PNMF Headquarters in Buenos Aires
Regional office in Bariloche, Rio Negro

Activity: Bruce Noble, representing the BCFS Wildfire Management Branch provided a five-day contract to deliver an Air Attack Officer course for aircraft and fire suppression personnel representing various private and public forestry organizations in La Colcha, Chile. The course was attended by approximately 45 participants.

Location: La Colcha, Chile (near Concepción)

Activity: Dave Marek and Brad Martin, representing the BCFS Wildfire Management Branch provide assistance to Argentina's meteorologist, National Fire Management to initiate research and assist with a implementation plan for a Fire Weather Index in three (3) pilot project areas in Argentina. They will also review forest fuel types, local fire weather influences and analyze available historical weather data and any existing fire occurrence records where necessary.

Location: Province of Chubut, Lanin National Park, and the Province of Misiones

Activity:

In 1999 the British Columbia Forest Service, Protection Program was awarded Official Development Assistance (ODA) funding through the Southern Cone Technology Transfer Fund in the amount of CAD $660,000 from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), to conduct a Fire Management and Technology Transfer Project with Argentina’s Plan Nacional de Manejo del Fuego (National Fire Management Plan). The project took place between 1999-2003 and the core project activities were as follows:

• Wildland Firefighter exchange program (completed 1999)
• National Fire Suppression Training Standard / Certification System (completed 2001)
• Aircraft Resource Management (completed 2001)
• Wildland Interface Fire Prevention "Pilot Project" (completed 2002)
• Fire Weather Index / Fire Danger Rating System (on-going)

The Protection Program continues to provide technical assistance and consultations with Argentina's National Fire Management Plan towards the implementation of a national fire danger rating system. Various provinces throughout Argentina have embraced this enabling technology as a decision making aid to land/fire managers in Argentina. Subsequent to the CIDA-funded project, the continuation of project extension activities have been solely funded by Argentina to date.

Activity: Jim Dunlop, Director and Shawn Bethel, International Development, responded to a request for emergency assistance from the Governor of the State of Nuevo Leon to assist in the form of 'consulting services' to address the local state of emergency as a result of extreme fire conditions throughout Mexico's north-eastern state of Nuevo Leon. Several large-scale fires burning in around Mexico's second largest city, Monterrey, were threatening local communities, communications infrastructure and surrounding natural areas in state/national parks. The consultancy resulted in the provision of recommendations to mitigate wildfire, with a focus on aircraft resource management. Subsequent discussions with senior government officials revealed significant interest in the development of a Memorandum of Understanding between the BC Forest Service and the State of Nuevo Leon's Civil Protection Agency.