GFMC: Forest Fires in Canada, 6 September 2000
6 September 2000
The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) distributes timely information about forest fires in Canada.
The current fire situation for 5 September 2000 can be summarized as follows:
over the last 24 hours: 14 new fires for 85,856 hectares season summary: 5,020 fires for 627,107 hectares
National Forest Fire Situation Report of 30 August 2000 (updated every Friday)
Rain and cooler weather across much of the country reduced the area burned this past week. The number of fires was near normal for this time of year, but the area burned was very small. Risk is low across most of the country due to rain over the past week expected to continue in moist regions for the next few days.
Number and area of forest fires in Canada, as of 30 August 2000
current uncontrolled controlled active modified 4 310 118 2000
(to date) 10-year
average in %
of normal Prescribed
burning Number 4,959 7,681 65% 41 Area (ha) 539,757 2,408,562 22% 7,881
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 (5 September 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 (5 September 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 (5 September 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: 6 extinguished in the past 24 hours: 2 new fires: 4 total number of fires to date this year: 400 total up to this date last year: — five year average for this date: —
British Columbia Forest Service Wildfire Report (5 September 2000):
Fire season winds down
VICTORIA The 2000 wildfire season is winding down quickly as cool, unsettled weather dominates the province.
The B.C. Forest Service has been able to limit the damages and costs associated with wildfires this year.
In early August, near-drought conditions and intense thunderstorms in the southern Interior resulted in 630 fires caused by lightning within 15 days. Accurate detection and quick deployment of resources enabled the Forest Service to maintain a high initial attack success rate. Over 96 per cent of all fires were contained at under four hectares. Of those that grew beyond that, the largest was contained at 380 hectares.
Residents near six wildfires were evacuated this year, but in all cases, Forest Service crews managed to suppress fires before major damage or injury occurred.
All larger fires in B.C. are now in the mop-up or patrol stage. All fire camps have been demobilized, and many seasonal firefighters will be released for the year.
A total of 1,488 wildfires have been reported in the province to date this year, and 16,400 hectares has been burned. Almost 70 per cent of these fires were in the south Okanagan and southeastern part of the province. The total number of wildfires reported so far this year is close to average.
Wildfire Statistics Report, 5 September 2000
Number of Fires Burning: 51 Number of New Fires (Lightning): 0 Number of New Fires (Human Caused): 3 Total Lightning Fires: 947 Total Human Caused Fires: 542 Total Fires to Date: 1,489 Total Area Burned (ha): 16,150
Fire Danger Rating for British Columbia, 5 September 2000.
(Source: British Columbia Forest Service)
