GFMC: Forest Fires in Canada, 16 August 2000
16 August 2000
The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) distributes timely information about forest fires in Canada. The current fire situation for 15 August 2000 can be summarized as follows:
over the last 24 hours: 30 fires for 27 ha season summary: 4,622 fires for 527,040 hectares
According to the National Forest Fire Situation Report of 9 August 2000 (updated every Friday), that the fire activity continues to remain below average. The weekly total for hectares burned last week was consistent with 10-year averages for this time of the season although the total for the season is well below average. The area of smoke has decreased since last week. Conditions remain dry in much of the western provinces and the territories. Risk is increasing in southern parts of Manitoba and Alberta and in southeastern part of British Columbia; some risk continues in the northern parts of Saskatchewan, Ontario and the Northwest Territories.
Number and area of forest fires in Canada, as of 9 August 2000
current uncontrolled controlled active modified 7 209 198 2000
(to date) 10-year
average in %
of normal Prescribed
burning Number 4,218 6,557 64% 41 Area (ha) 520,373 1,952,230 27% 7,881
The Fire Monitoring, Mapping, and Modelling (FireM3) is a collaboration of the Canadian Forest Service and the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing. Through the Map Link at the FireM3 web site you can access daily hotspot images. An Internet Map Server, which is like a simple GIS running on the host computer, allows you to zoom in on any fire or other area of interest and view the image and map data at full (1 km) resolution. You can also click on any fire and get information about that fire.
The satellite image, the daily fire overview map and the season-to-date hotspot map for 10 August 2000
display the current significant fire events (in the moment no current updates available)
(Source: FireM3)
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 (14 August 2000):
Fine Fuel Moisture Code 
Duff Moisture Code 
Drought Code 
Initial Spread Index 
Buildup Index 
Fire Weather Index 
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 (14 August 2000):
Foliar Moisture Content 
Surface Fuel Consumption 
Rate of Spread 
Total Fuel Consumption 
Head Fire Intensity 
Fire Type
The Saskatchewan Daily Forest Fire Situation Report (15 August 2000) 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. The whole report and further information can be accessed at the fire management website of “Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management” (SERM).
fires burning in the province today: 15 extinguished in the past 24 hours: 2 new fires: 0 total number of fires to date this year: 379 total up to this date last year: 587 five year average for this date: 629
British Columbia Forest Service Wildfire Report (15 August 2000):
Help arrives for B.C. firefighters
B.C. firefighters continue to battle fires today in the south and southeastern part of the province. “We’ve had hundreds of new fires caused by lightning, and theyre keeping our initial attack crews and air tankers busy,” said Kerry Brewer, provincial fire control officer. “Crews have made good progress, and we now are able to focus our efforts on the fires causing us the most concern. We have been getting resources out to between 20 and 30 new fires being reported to us each day.” B.C.’s firefighting resouces were strained over the weekend, and extra firefighters were requested through the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre in Winnipeg. Forty-two firefighters from the Yukon and Northwest Territories arrived in Midway on Monday, and 58 more are expected today from Alberta and Saskatchewan. One of the largest command centres ever assembled in B.C. is now operating in Cranbrook. About 500 firefighters and Forest Service staff will be working out of this centre by the end of the day. The centre will control all operational activities, deployment of crews and equipment, public information and interagency communications. The potential for more wildfires remains high as forests in southern B.C. remain extremely dry. Weather forecasters predict current conditions to continue with the possibility of more thunderstorms for the next few days.
Wildfire Update
COOL CREEK FIRE – The fire is located northwest of Cathedral Park (west of Keremeos) and is estimated at 50 hectares. The fire is not contained and is proving difficult to control along the eastern and southern flanks. This afternoon, there are about 75 firefighters, air support and heavy equipment actioning the fire. The main concern today is the southern slope the fire is travelling down and forecasted wind gusts of 40-50 km. No homes are threatened at this time.
THYNNE MOUNTAIN FIRE – This fire north of Princeton remains 100% contained and is not threatening any structures. This fire damaged 380 hectares and 128 firefighters continue suppression efforts.
PEMBERTON FIRE – Two fires northwest of Pemberton, with a combined size of 30 hectares are burning at high elevation across the valley from each other. These are burning in steep terrain and access has been difficult. Forty-one firefighters are now able to work on guarding both of these fires.
PREMIER RIDGE FIRE – The fire is located ten miles southeast of Wasa, approximately 50 hectares, There are 45 firefighters, five bulldozers, two water tank trucks and three helicopters on site.
FRY CREEK CANYON FIRE – Crews are continuing suppression efforts today. The fire is approximately 150 hectares, 32 firefighters are on site. It is not contained yet but crews are making good progress.
INGRAM CREEK FIRE – Currently contained, approximately 50 firefighters on site today, located 18 km from Greenwood.
LINKLATER FIRE – Approximately 150 hectares, the majority of the fire is burning on the US side of the border, but it has now passed over into the Canadian side. Heavy machinery on both sides of the border are actioning this fire.
REDDING CREEK- The fire is approximately 70 hectares and is currently being worked on by heavy machinery. There are also other spot fires in the area.
IRISHMAN CREEK FIRE – The fire is approximately 100 hectares, located between Cranbrook and the Kootenay Lakes, burning much slower than officials anticipated, received precipitation two days ago, control efforts continue today.
Wildfire Statistics Report, 15 August 2000
Number of Fires Burning: 340 Number of New Fires (Lightning): 236 Number of New Fires (Human Caused): 42 Total Lightning Fires: 779 Total Human Caused Fires: 479 Total Fires to Date: 1,258 Total Area Burned (ha): 13,948
Fire Danger Rating for British Columbia, 15 August 2000.
(Source: British Columbia Forest Service)
