Wildfires pose a significant and growing threat across Canada, with British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario being particularly vulnerable due to a combination of factors including climate conditions, forest composition, and human activities. The threat of wildfires in these provinces, as well as other high-risk areas in Canada, is influenced by various factors that are expected to increase the risk in 2024. We outline some of the risk factors, provide prevention methods and outline what we’re doing at BlueSky to prepare and assist our clients with real-time intelligence.
As part of our ongoing commitment to proactive risk management, the team at BlueSky is diligently preparing for the upcoming wildfire season. Our approach encompasses a comprehensive strategy to mitigate all potential hazards, including wildfires, that may impact our clients' specific locations, critical infrastructure, and transportation networks.
Utilizing a wide array of resources, including those from provincial emergency programs, wildfire services, satellite imagery, and weather networks, our team ensures thorough real-time monitoring and analysis. We employ additional advanced techniques including monitoring social media for emerging fire incidents and leveraging ground-based intelligence gathering to provide real-time updates to our clients.
In instances where immediate action is necessary, our trained risk operators are deployed equipped with state-of-the-art fire spotting technology to deliver timely intelligence directly from affected wildfire areas. This integrated approach, drawing from various sources of information, solidifies BlueSky's position as the premier partner in wildfire risk mitigation.
It's important to note that our wildfire monitoring services are included at no additional cost for our BlueSky Monitoring clients, aligning with our overarching commitment to providing comprehensive risk management solutions.
British Columbia has a diverse range of forest ecosystems, many of which are prone to wildfires. The province experiences some of Canada's most severe fire seasons due to its mountainous terrain, which can create challenging conditions for fire suppression, and its climate, which includes dry summers that increase fire risks. In recent years, record-breaking temperatures and prolonged drought conditions have exacerbated the situation, leading to some of the worst wildfire seasons in history.
Alberta's boreal forests and grasslands are also highly susceptible to wildfires. The province has experienced some of the most destructive wildfires in Canadian history, including the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire, which resulted in the largest wildfire evacuation in Alberta's history and billions in damages. Factors contributing to the increased wildfire risk in Alberta include rising temperatures, earlier snowmelt, and drier conditions, which are conducive to larger and more intense wildfires.
Ontario's risk is primarily in its northern boreal forests, which are vast and remote, making access and firefighting efforts challenging. The region's changing climate patterns, with warmer and drier conditions, are leading to an increased frequency and severity of wildfires. The province also faces the risk of wildfires near urban interfaces, where forests and communities meet, posing direct threats to populated areas.
Other High-Risk Areas
Other areas in Canada also face significant wildfire threats, including the boreal forests of Quebec and the northern territories. These regions share similar risk factors, including remote, inaccessible terrain and changing climate conditions that are conducive to wildfires.
Increased Threat in 2024
The threat of wildfires in 2024 is anticipated to be higher due to several factors. Climate change continues to be a primary driver, with predictions of warmer and drier conditions across many parts of Canada, leading to an extended fire season and more extreme fire behavior. Additionally, the accumulation of forest fuels, partly due to historical fire suppression practices, increases the potential intensity of fires. Urban expansion into wildland areas also elevates the risk of fires affecting more communities.
Recommendations for Organizations
Organizations, especially those located in or near wildfire-prone areas, can take several steps to mitigate the risks:
- Create Defensible Spaces: Clear vegetation and other flammable materials from around buildings to create a buffer zone that can slow the spread of wildfires.
- Implement Fire-Resistant Building Practices: Use fire-resistant materials for roofing, siding, and decking. Install spark arrestors on chimneys and vents.
- Develop and Practice Evacuation Plans: Have an evacuation plan in place and conduct regular drills. Ensure all employees are familiar with the plan and know what to do in case of a wildfire.
- Collaborate with Local Fire Authorities: Work with local fire departments and forestry services to understand the specific wildfire risks in your area and what you can do to prepare.
- Invest in Early Warning Systems: Use technology and services that provide real-time alerts on wildfire threats to ensure timely responses. BlueSky is a great example!
- Educate Employees: Provide training on wildfire risks and prevention techniques, including how to properly extinguish campfires, dispose of smoking materials, and operate equipment safely during high-risk periods.
- Support and Engage in Community Fire Prevention Efforts: Participate in local fire prevention and preparedness programs. This can include supporting firebreak projects, forest management practices that reduce fuel loads, and community education campaigns.
As wildfires become an increasingly prevalent threat due to climate change and other factors, it is imperative for organizations and communities to adopt comprehensive strategies to mitigate risks. By implementing proactive measures, planning for emergencies, and fostering community resilience, the impact of wildfires can be significantly reduced.
Zombie fires smolder in Canada (BlueSky News March 4th, 2024)
Zombie fires, a phenomenon increasingly observed in the vast wilderness of Canada and parts of the United States, represent a significant and growing challenge for forest management and environmental conservation. These fires, also known as holdover or overwintering fires, smolder beneath the surface during the colder months and re-emerge with the advent of warmer weather. They burn in the organic material found in soil, such as peat and dense underbrush, capable of retaining heat for extended periods. This characteristic allows them to survive the winter hidden under snow cover, only to reignite on the surface when conditions become favorable.
The occurrence of zombie fires has seen a noticeable increase, particularly in Canadian provinces like British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario, as well as in various regions of the United States. This rise can be attributed to several factors, with climate change at the forefront. Warmer temperatures, shorter winters, and decreased snowfall contribute to both the ignition and persistence of these fires. The changing climate has also led to more severe and frequent wildfire seasons, increasing the likelihood of fires becoming deep-seated and difficult to extinguish completely.
In British Columbia and Alberta, vast tracts of boreal forest, rich in peat and susceptible to deep burning, have become hotbeds for zombie fires. These provinces have experienced some of the most devastating wildfire seasons in recent years, with fires carrying over from one year to the next through this mechanism. Ontario, with its extensive peatlands, faces a similar threat, highlighting the pervasive nature of the issue across different ecosystems.
The United States, particularly in Alaska and the boreal forests stretching across the border with Canada, has also reported instances of zombie fires. These occurrences underscore the transboundary nature of wildfire management challenges and the need for cooperative approaches to address them.
Addressing the issue of zombie fires requires a multifaceted strategy. Enhanced monitoring and detection methods, such as satellite surveillance and ground-based sensors, are crucial for identifying these fires early. This technology can help pinpoint areas where fires may be smoldering undetected beneath the snow and ice. Improved firefighting techniques, specifically designed to target the deep-burning nature of zombie fires, are also essential. This might include more extensive use of water and fire retardants to penetrate the ground and extinguish fires at their source.
Preventative measures are equally important. Controlled burns and the maintenance of firebreaks can reduce the fuel available for both surface and underground fires, thereby limiting their spread and intensity. Additionally, adapting forest management practices to consider the changing climate and its impact on fire behavior is vital.
Finally, addressing the broader issue of climate change is critical to mitigating the conditions conducive to zombie fires. This includes global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and local initiatives aimed at enhancing forest resilience to fire.
Zombie fires present a complex and evolving challenge that spans across Canada and the United States, affecting provinces like British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and regions such as Alaska. Tackling this issue demands a combination of advanced technology, innovative firefighting techniques, preventive strategies, and, fundamentally, a commitment to addressing the underlying issue of climate change. Through collaborative and concerted efforts, it is possible to mitigate the impacts of zombie fires and safeguard the health of North American forests and the communities that depend on them.
Wildfire Threats and Mitigation Strategies in Canada for 2024 (BlueSky News February 15th, 2024)
In 2024, Canada faces a heightened risk of wildfires, a pressing concern exacerbated by environmental changes and climatic conditions. The reduction in snowpack levels, a critical factor in the natural replenishment of water bodies and soil moisture, is among the primary concerns. This decrease contributes to drier conditions, significantly elevating the likelihood of wildfires across various provinces. The phenomenon is not only a consequence of warmer winter temperatures but also of decreased precipitation during the colder months, conditions that align with the broader patterns of climate change impacting the globe.
Provinces particularly at risk include British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and parts of the Northwest Territories. These regions, known for their extensive forested areas, have historically faced the brunt of Canada's wildfire incidents. British Columbia and Alberta, with their vast boreal forests, are especially vulnerable due to their susceptibility to the combined effects of reduced snowpack, warmer temperatures, and earlier spring melts. These conditions not only shorten the window for natural moisture replenishment but also lengthen the fire season, providing a larger window in which fires can start and spread.
In response to the escalating wildfire threat, provincial governments across Canada have been formulating and implementing comprehensive mitigation strategies. British Columbia, for example, has increased its investment in wildfire prevention measures, including the expansion of controlled burns, the enhancement of community firebreaks, and the implementation of more aggressive early detection systems. Additionally, the province is investing in public education campaigns aimed at reducing human-caused fires, which account for a significant proportion of wildfire incidents.
Alberta has similarly been proactive, focusing on improving resource sharing agreements with neighboring provinces and territories to ensure rapid response capabilities. This includes the mobilization of firefighting personnel, equipment, and aircraft across provincial boundaries as needed. Alberta is also investing in advanced technology, including satellite surveillance and AI-driven predictive modeling, to anticipate fire outbreaks and strategize containment efforts more effectively.
Saskatchewan's approach includes bolstering its firefighting resources and enhancing community preparedness through training and support programs. The province emphasizes the importance of local readiness, equipping communities with the tools and knowledge to protect themselves and their properties from the threat of wildfires.
Ontario faces a multifaceted challenge with wildfires, attributable to a blend of climate change effects, escalating temperatures, and evolving precipitation patterns, all contributing to dryer conditions and a heightened likelihood of lightning-induced fires. The province, endowed with extensive and diverse landscapes, including vast boreal forests, particularly in its northern regions, is at an increased risk of witnessing wildfires that are both more frequent and intense. This situation is further complicated by the expansion of urban areas into wildland territories, elevating the risk of property damage and loss of life as communities find themselves on the frontline of wildfire threats.
One of the significant concerns associated with wildfires in Ontario is the impact on air quality. Smoke from these fires can drastically affect the air quality across the province and even influence regions far removed from the fires themselves, posing health risks especially to individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions. Moreover, the potential for large-scale wildfires presents a considerable strain on firefighting resources, which could impact the ability to respond effectively to simultaneous outbreaks, potentially leading to greater damage.
In response to these challenges, Ontario has adopted a comprehensive approach towards mitigating the risks and impacts of wildfires. This strategy includes investments in advanced monitoring technologies, such as satellite imagery and remote sensing, to enable early detection of wildfires, allowing for quicker responses that could limit the scale of fires. The province also places a significant emphasis on preventative measures and public education to reduce the number of human-caused fires, incorporating restrictions on open burning and promoting safe camping practices.
Ontario encourages the development and implementation of community preparedness and protection plans, especially in areas considered high-risk. These plans focus on creating defensible spaces around properties, utilizing fire-resistant building materials, and establishing clear evacuation protocols. Strategic fuel management is another cornerstone of the province's mitigation strategy, aimed at reducing combustible material in forests near communities through controlled burns, mechanical thinning, and the removal of dead trees and underbrush.
Acknowledging the cross-jurisdictional nature of wildfire management, Ontario actively seeks cooperation with neighboring provinces, territories, and the federal government to share resources, including firefighting personnel and equipment, as needed. Additionally, the province supports research into fire management strategies and the development of innovative technologies that enhance the prediction, prevention, and management of wildfires. Through these concerted efforts, Ontario aims to safeguard communities, preserve natural resources, and ensure the health and safety of its residents against the backdrop of increasing wildfire risks.
The federal government, recognizing the cross-jurisdictional nature of wildfire management, has pledged increased support for provincial efforts. This includes funding for research into fire-resistant building materials and techniques, as well as investments in national parks and federal lands to reduce wildfire risks through vegetation management and other preventative measures.
As Canada moves into 2024, the collective effort of federal and provincial governments, along with community engagement and international cooperation, forms the cornerstone of the nation's strategy to mitigate the risks associated with wildfires. This comprehensive approach aims not only to manage and contain fires when they occur but also to address the root causes of increased fire risk, ensuring the safety and security of Canadian communities and natural resources.
In the upcoming months, subscribers to our BlueSky Monitoring Service can anticipate receiving customized intelligence reports and alerts tailored to wildfire risk assessments in their respective regions. Our dedicated team will prioritize notifying clients of potential fire threats and offer strategies for mitigation. Furthermore, our service will include comprehensive intelligence updates on newly ignited fires as well as updates on those that are spreading.
At BlueSky, we offer our clients unparalleled access to analyst-verified monitoring, actionable intelligence, and proactive insights into protests and potential disruptions in real-time. Our commitment is to deliver intelligence that is not only insightful but also deeply rooted in human expertise. We pride ourselves on delivering intelligence that is insightful and human-centric, because "Our best intelligence is not artificial."
If you have additional questions about this report or would like more information on BlueSky, reach out to our team directly: BlueSky@paladinrisksolutions.com