Canadian Wildland Fire Strategy

"In September 2004, the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers established a federal, provincial, and territorial task group of assistant deputy ministers (ADMs) and commissioned the development of the Canadian Wildland Fire Strategy (CWFS). The ADMs created an intergovernmental team of analysts, experienced fire managers, and researchers, known as the CWFS Core Team, to consult with Canadian and international experts, collate information, conduct analyses, and present the findings. This team was directed to assess the current state of wildland fire management in Canada, examine the key influences and trends, and identify possible desired future states and how they could be achieved. This publication comprises a collection of nine reports written by the CWFS Core Team members and their associates. Collectively these papers include syntheses, analyses, and perspective articles that address a variety of the social, economic, and biophysical aspects of wildland fire and its management as well as policy, science, and operational issues in Canada."--Pub. desc.

Under the direction of the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers and in accordance with current jurisdictional mandates, the federal, provincial, and territorial governments have been co-operating on the establishment of the Canadian Wildlands Fire Strategy (CWFS). The CWFS will seek to balance the social, ecological, and economic aspects of wildland fire to deal with both the root causes and the symptoms of current and potential fire management issues. It is designed to facilitate the development and implementation of an innovative approach to wildland fire management in Canada that will foster resilient communities and an empowered public, develop healthy and productive forest ecosystems, and incorporate modern business practises. This report describes the current state of wildland fires and its management in Canada, a vision for a desired future state, and recommendations on how to initiate the necessary changes over the next ten years.

The Canadian Forest Fire Behavior Prediction (FBP) system is a systematic method for assessing wildland fire behaviour potential. Presented in tabular format, this guide provides a simplified version of the system and is designed to assist field staff in making approximations of FBP System outputs.

The Canadian Forest Fire Behavior Prediction (FBP) System is a systematic method for assessing wildland fire behavior potential. This field guide provides a simplified version of the system, presented in tabular format. It was prepared to assist field staff in making first approximations of FBP System outputs when computer-based applications are not available. Quantitative estimates of head fire spread rate, fire intensity, type of fire, and spread distance, elliptical fire area, perimeter, and perimeter growth rate are provided for eighteen fuel types within five broad groupings (coniferous, deciduous, and mixedwood forests, logging slash, and grass), covering most of the major wildland fuel types found in Canada. The FBP System is intended to supplement, not replace, the experience and judgment of fire personnel.

Fire is a defining element in Canadian land and life. With few exceptions, Canada's forests and prairies have evolved with fire. Its peoples have exploited fire and sought to protect themselves from its excesses, and since Confederation, the country has devised various institutions to connect fire and society. The choices Canadians have made says a great deal about their national character. Awful Splendour narrates the history of this grand saga. It will interest geographers, historians, and members of the fire community.

Increasing forest fire activity is of great concern to many Canadians. Forestry plays a key roll in the Canadian economy and the Canadian way of living. This workshop had five objectives: determine whether fire activity has increased ; evaluate and prioritize the possible causes ; summarize the potential impacts ; recommend appropriate responses ; and communicate the findings and recommendations, which is the purpose of this report. The report combines presentation notes taken by Paul Ward and discussion notes taken by the rapporteurs. It summarizes the workshop and makes no attempt to interpret the discussions, findings, or recommendations from any particular perspective.

Nearly one-third of wildfire evacuations in Canada involve Indigenous communities. While evacuations are carried out to protect people from smoke and flames, deciding to leave brings its own challenges. Based on interviews with evacuees from seven First Nations, this book outlines how Indigenous communities and external organizations can best prepare for the different stages of a wildfire evacuation, including: deciding when to leave putting a plan in motion troubleshooting transportation finding accommodation caring for evacuees returning home. With climate change increasing the likelihood of wildfires around the world, this book is an invaluable resource for any community at risk from fire.