Forest Fires in Canada: 23 May 2000
23 May 2000
According to the National Forest Fire Situation Report of 17 May 2000, area burned to date has been just over 1/3 of normal, thanks to timely rains and cool weather in large parts of the country, combined with early mobilisation by most agencies. Moister weather has cooled the fire situation over most of Canada. There is no extreme fire risk in any province, although some parts of central Canada continue to have high risk. Most of the country can expect low fire activity to continue over the next few days, due to rain and cloud across most regions.
Tab. 1. Number and area of forest fires in Canada, as of 17 May 2000
(Source: Canadian Wildland Fire Information System)
2000
(to date) 10-year average in % of normal Prescribed burning Number 1,024 1,304 106% 23 Area (ha) 21,404 59,333 36% 4,668
The Daily Forest Fire Situation Report is listing all forest fires currently burning in Saskatchewan and their current status. This report also gives statistics on the total number of fires to date.
Saskatchewan Daily Forest Fire Situation Report (10:00 AM, 22 May 2000):
There are 7 forest fires burning in the province today.
6 fires have been extinguished in the past 24 hours and
6 new fires have been reported.
The total number of fires to date this year is 121.
The total up to this date last year was 78.
The five year average for this date is 114.
The whole report and further information can be accessed at the fire management website of Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management (SERM).
The latest Wildfire Report from British Columbia from the 18 Mai 2000 issued that fire crews are ready in all fire centres and will be monitoring weather conditions and responding to any fire starts. Forest Service fire staff are asking the public to be careful with backyard burning and campfires. Weather forecasts indicate that much of the province will experience clear skies with temperatures 3-4 degrees above normal. To date there have been 202 fires reported in the province (B.C.). Backyard burning is the cause for many of this year’s fires. Dry grass and brush provide excellent fuel for fire, and in windy conditions, a fire can spread surprisingly fast. Anyone doing backyard burning must have hand tools, water and enough people available to keep the fire in check.
The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) distributes timely information about forest fires in Canada.
National Forest Fire Situation for 11 May 2000
Recent cool damp weather across most of Western Canada has reduced the forest fire hazard substantially. This system will continue to track east maintaining the low harards in the eastern regions. Saskatchewawan still has high to extreme hazards in the north eastern portion of the province.
