GFMC: Forest Fires in Canada, 29 August 2000

Forest Fires in Canada

29 August 2000


The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) distributes timely information about forest fires in Canada. The current fire situation for 28 August 2000 can be summarized as follows:

over the last 24 hours: 20 fire for 28 ha season summary: 4,932 fires for 539,699 hectares

 

According to the National Forest Fire Situation Report of 23 August 2000 (updated every Friday), that 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 23 August 2000

current uncontrolled controlled active modified 3 362 123   2000
(to date)
10-year
average
in %
of normal
Prescribed
burning
Number 4,826 7,417 65% 41 Area (ha) 530,358 2,317,702 23% 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.

click here to enlarge (23 KB) click here to enlarge (29 KB) click here to enlarge (23 KB)

The satellite image, the daily fire overview map and the season-to-date hotspot map for 28 August 2000 (update today not available)
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 (28 August 2000):

click to enlarge (30 - 40 KB)
Fine Fuel Moisture Code click to enlarge (30 - 40 KB)
Duff Moisture Code click to enlarge (30 - 40 KB)
Drought Code click to enlarge (30 - 40 KB)
Initial Spread Index click to enlarge (30 - 40 KB)
Buildup Index click to enlarge (30 - 40 KB)
Fire Weather Index click to enlarge (30 - 40 KB)
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 (28 August 2000):

click to enlarge (30 - 40 KB)
Foliar Moisture Content click to enlarge (30 - 40 KB)
Surface Fuel Consumption click to enlarge (30 - 40 KB)
Rate of Spread click to enlarge (30 - 40 KB)
Total Fuel Consumption click to enlarge (30 - 40 KB)
Head Fire Intensity click to enlarge (30 - 40 KB)
Fire Type

 

The Saskatchewan Daily Forest Fire Situation Report (28 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: 9 extinguished in the past 24 hours: 2 new fires: 2 total number of fires to date this year: 392 total up to this date last year: 706 five year average for this date: 670

 

British Columbia Forest Service Wildfire Report (22 August 2000, update today not available):
High fire danger rating returns
Although cooler weather and scattered showers over the weekend helped subdue fires in southeastern B.C., today’s return to high temperatures with low humidity and gusty winds is expected to create a challenge to fire suppression efforts. All of the larger fires in B.C. are now controlled, contained or in the mop-up stage. There is cautious optimism that work on these fires will continue into the mop-up stage over the next several days. Firefighters are being rotated out of fire sites for rest and fresh crews are being brought in from other fire centres throughout the province. Seasonal warm and dry conditions will have an effect on the fire danger rating, which may once again reach high to extreme in the southern and southeastern part of the province.

PROVINCIAL WILDFIRE UPDATE
Current Significant Wildfires
COOL CREEK FIRE – The fire west of Keremeos reached 327 hectares. Good progress is being made, and crews and equipment are still reinforcing the fireguard and proceeding with mop-up.
THYNNE MOUNTAIN FIRE – This fire north of Princeton remains contained, and crews are making excellent progress with mop-up. The fire damaged 380 hectares.
ST. MARY’S FIRE – This fire is located at high elevation about 10 kilometres west of Crawford Bay on Kootenay Lake. It has been reassessed at 185 hectares. Snow and rain at the north end of this fire on Saturday slowed its growth considerably. Firefighters and heavy machinery are working to finish the guard around the perimeter and start mop-up.
NORGE CREEK FIRE – The size of this fire has been remapped at 187 hectares. The fire is about 30 kilometres south of Cranbrook. This fire has been 90 per cent contained, and firefighters are beginning mop-up efforts.
CONNELL RIDGE FIRE – This fire reached 370 hectares. It is burning about 20 kilometres southeast of Cranbrook. It is now 65 per cent contained, and good progress is being reported.
IRISHMAN CREEK FIRE – This fire reached 255 hectares and is between Cranbrook and Kootenay Lake. It is now 95 per cent contained, and firefighters are starting mop-up efforts.
COPPER LAKE FIRE – This fire reached 70 hectares. It is burning about 25 kilometres southwest of Cranbrook. It is 100 per cent contained and 40 per cent mopped up.
MATTHEWS CREEK FIRE – This fire is 4.5 hectares, burning 15 kilometres west of Kimberley Lake. This fire is still being fought and experts have been called to the site to assess and fall unstable trees before crews can start mop-up.
LINKLATER FIRE – This fire is still active and over 320 hectares. Most of the fire is burning on the U.S. side of the border, with about 10 hectares burning on the Canadian side. The B.C. side of the fire is fully guarded.

 

Wildfire Statistics Report, 25 August 2000

Number of Fires Burning: 322 Number of New Fires (Lightning): 5 Number of New Fires (Human Caused): 4 Total Lightning Fires: 942 Total Human Caused Fires: 521 Total Fires to Date: 1,463 Total Area Burned (ha): 16,375

click here to enlarge (17 KB)

Fire Danger Rating for British Columbia, 28 August 2000.
(Source: British Columbia Forest Service)

 


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