GFMC: Forest Fires in Canada, 19 June 2000
19 June 2000
The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) distributes timely information about forest fires in Canada. The current fire situation for 18 June 2000 can be summarized as follows:
over the last 24 hours: 22 new fires season summary: 1,748 fires for 36,096 hectares
According to the National Forest Fire Situation Report of 14 June 2000, due to continuing cool wet weather across much of the country, area burned to date is only 1/8 of normal. Risk of fire remains low across most of the country, with dry conditions developing in the northwest Territories, Yukon, and Quebec.
Tab. 1. Number and area of forest fires in Canada, as of 18 June 2000
current uncontrolled controlled active modified 8 70 23 2000
(to date) 10-year average in % of normal Prescribed burning Number 1,686 2,528 67% 32 Area (ha) 36,321 279,917 13% 5,806
The Canadian Forest Fire Weather Index (FWI) System is a part of the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System and consists of six components that account for the effects of fuel moisture and wind on fire behavior. The first three components are fuel moisture codes and are numerical ratings of the moisture content of litter and other fine fuels, the average moisture contentof loosely compacted organic layers of moderate depth, and the average moisture content of deep, compact organic layers. The remaining three components are fire behavior indexes which represent the rate of fire spread, the fuel available for combustion, and the frontal fire intensity; their values rise as the fire danger increases. For futher information please see the Summary Information.
The latest available images are shown below (18 June 2000):
Fig.1. Fine Fuel Moisture Code 
Fig.2. Duff Moisture Code 
Fig.3. Drought Code 
Fig.4. Initial Spread Index 
Fig.5. Buildup Index 
Fig.6. Fire Weather Index 
Fig.7. Fire Danger Rating
The Canadian Forest Fire Behavior Prediction (FBP) System is an other part of the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System and provides quantitative estimates of head fire spread rate, fuel consumption, fire intensity, and fire description. With the aid of an elliptical fire growth model, it gives estimates of fire area, perimeter, perimeter growth rate, and flank and back fire behavior. For futher information please see the Summary Information.
The latest available images are shown below (18 June 2000):
Fig.8. Foliar Moisture Content 
Fig.9. Surface Fuel Consumption 
Fig.10. Rate of Spread 
Fig.11. Total Fuel Consumption 
Fig.12. Head Fire Intensity 
Fig.13. Fire Type
The Saskatchewan Daily Forest Fire Situation Report (15 June) 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.
fires burning in the province today: 2 extinguished in the past 24 hours: 2 new fires: 3 total number of fires to date this year: 171 total up to this date last year: 221 five year average for this date: 2279
The whole report and further information can be accessed at the fire management website of “Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management” (SERM).
British Columbia Forest Service Wildfire Report (15 June 2000):
Firefighting recruits have completed their two-week boot camp training in Merritt and are ready for this year’s fire season. The rigorous training program gives recruits essential skills and knowledge in fire-line safety, first aid, fire behaviour, fire-suppression techniques, helicopter safety and fire-line communications. B.C. Forest Service firefighters are recognized internationally for their skill and expertise in fire safety and suppression techniques. This season, 765 men and women applied for available firefighting jobs. Of the total, 142 applications came from women and 623 from men. Since the introduction of provincial physical fitness and fire crew training standards in the early 1990s, the number of injuries and associated costs, when compared to using untrained temporary firefighters, has dropped by 85 per cent. Almost 90 per cent of the province’s firefighters are recalled from previous years. The protection program will employ about 275 First Nations firefighters, 75 female firefighters, and 500 male firefighters this year.
Number of Fires Burning: 50 Number of New Fires (Lightning): 0 Number of New Fires (Human Caused): 0 Total Lightning Fires: 30 Total Human Caused Fires: 250 Total Fires to Date: 280 Total Area Burned (Ha.): 11,205
Fig. 14. Fire Danger Rating for British Columbia, 18 June 2000.
(Source: British Columbia Forest Service)
News from the International Crown Fire Modelling Experiment (ICFME)
(Ft. Providence, Northwest Territories, Canada)
ICFME Phase IV (The Final Chapter) has started on 10 June 2000 and will last until ca. 1 July 2000 depending on weather conditions. The experiment has been described in International Forest Fire News (IFFN) No. 21 (September 1999). During the experimental phases a special ICFME website is updated daily. The website includes the update information on weather and experimental status.
On 10 Jun 2000 the national Canadian and international research teams arrived on site. GFMC will report about news not contained in the ICFME website through GFMC staff member Tobias Zorn who is part of the international team.
