The Wildland Fire Operations Research Group of FPInnovations - Feric Division in collaboration with the University of Alberta initiated a project in late 2007 at the request of its stakeholders to examine and define the limits of wildland firefighter safety and survival zones. Part of this project involves examining past wildfire incidents in relation to hindsight simulations of the thermal environment associated with the area of refuge taken by firefighters in various burn-over and entrapment situations. Here we examine the case involving the survival of Smokejumper Foreman Wag Dodge on the 1949 Mann Gulch Fire. Based on a thorough review of all the available written documentation and photographic evidence coupled with existing fire behavior knowledge and predictive models, new estimates are presented for the area burned by Dodge's escape fire (0.02 acre or 0.08 hectare) and the height of the flame front that swept around his "island" of safety (10 ft or 3 m). The question of whether he was physically lifted off the ground during the ordeal is also touched on.
This article in the Journal of Commerce highlights FPInnovations Sustainable Construction spotlight series. Experts at FPInnovations believe using wood technology could play a major role in helping Canada meet its climate goals. This article may be accessed on the Journal of Commerce's website: https://canada.constructconnect.com/joc/news/resource/2022/06/fp-innovations-pushes-wood-as-solution-to-climate-goals-affordable-housing
The full FPInnovations In the Spotlight series can be accessed at: https://web.fpinnovations.ca/in-the-spotlight-sustainable-construction/
In May 2001 a wildfire started near the hamlet of Chisholm, Alberta in an area that cannot be seen from the Chisholm Fire Lookout. By the time the fire was detected, it had grown too large to control and went on to become one of the largest fires in Alberta’s history. In 2007, Alberta Sustainable Resource Development (ASRD) had asked FPInnovations to design, establish, and test a camera system that would allow the Chisholm Fire Lookout observer to monitor this blind area.
Although the video camera system designed for the Chisholm Fire Lookout in 2007 and 2008 was successful, researchers were asked if they could design a system that did not depend on CN Rail’s trackside tower. With no other available tower, researchers decided to place the video cameras and the transmission equipment on a portable tower, which they then placed in a strategic location that would ensure good coverage of the blind area as well as an uninterrupted signal to the fire lookout.
The 2003 Wildland Fire Detection Workshop was the first in a series of workshops on fire detection organized by FPInnovations. The workshops take place at the Hinton Training Centre with the goal to bring Canadian and international wildland fire detection expertise together in one place; encouraging communications among participants; and providing ideas & innovations to create solutions for the issues affecting wildfire detection programs today, on every scale, and well into the future.
The harvesting of biomass for energy production, integrated with hardwood harvesting, seems to be a matter of course. Indeed, after processing logs for veneer and various types of sawing, large volumes remain available for pulp and more if there is an active market for energy fibre in the region. Why not collect what is left and use some of it for energy wood production?
This article is the second in a series of research projects conducted at FPInnovations and the Canadian Forest Service. They are part of a program aimed at improving the short-term competitiveness of the hardwood forest industry in Eastern Canada.
Abstract
La récolte de biomasse à des fins de production d’énergie, intégrée à des travaux de coupes en forêt feuillue, semble aller de soi. En effet, après le façonnage des billes pour le déroulage et différentes catégories de sciage, de forts volumes demeurent disponibles pour la pâte et davantage si un marché de fibre énergétique est actif dans la région. Pourquoi donc ne pas ramasser ce qui reste et en destiner une partie à la production de bois d’énergie?
Cet article est le deuxième d’une série présentant différents projets de recherche effectués chez FPInnovations et au Service canadien des forêts. Ils s’inscrivent dans un programme visant l’amélioration de la compétitivité à court terme de l’industrie forestière feuillue de l’est du Canada.
With the increase in the price of petroleum products and the withdrawal of of the preferential electricity rate for institutions, interest in forest residues as an energy source is undeniable. Many public institutions are considering converting their current heating system to a biomass boiler.
Abstract
Avec la hausse des prix des produits pétroliers et le retrait du taux préférentiel d’électricité pour les institutions, l’intérêt pour les résidus forestiers comme source d’énergie est indéniable. Plusieurs établissements publics songent à convertir leur système de chauffage actuel vers une chaudière à la biomasse.
Although heavily used by multiple users, forest roads and other and other multi-use roads are not all designed according designed according to the rules of civil engineering. In order to to be able to circulate safely on them, it is necessary to have adequate geometric design with appropriate sight distances and distances and appropriate signage.
Abstract
Bien que très fréquentés par de multiples usagés, les routes
forestières et autres chemins multi-usages ne sont pas tous conçus selon les règles du génie civil. De façon à pouvoir y circuler sécuritairement, il est nécessaire d’avoir une conception géométrique adéquate avec des distances de visibilité et une signalisation appropriées.
Learnings for Best Management Practices were compiled from research projects, on-site discussions with operators and contractors, safety alerts, published reports and discussions with a range of people. These learnings provide guidance for operating winch-assist technology safely and effectively on steep slopes.
This InfoNote summarizes the verification and validation that the current design requirements of Annex B of CSA O86 can also be applied to small framing members used in unprotected and protected lightweight wood-frame assemblies, e.g., walls and floors. With minor editorial changes, the scope of application of Annex B of CSA O86 could include all wood and wood-based products listed in CSA O86, regardless of their original and residual dimensions.
The overall objective of this study is to provide information to building design practitioners that will help to improve accuracy of hygrothermal models and enable them to better use these models to predict the durability and thermal performance of wood-based building envelopes. To achieve this, hygrothermal models using WUFI Pro software are validated with experimental data obtained from five wood-frame wall assemblies, with different insulation and vapour control strategies, exposed to the climatic conditions of Vancouver from October 2018 to May 2020. This exercise provides a set of model input parameters that the practitioner can use to assess similar structures exposed to similar environmental conditions. Sensitivity analysis is conducted on the model input parameters to establish which are the most important in obtaining a good fit to experimental measurements, and therefore accurate prediction of assembly performance. There is also discussion on limitations of the hygrothermal model.
Several researchers from the Canadian Forest Service of Natural Resources Canada (CFS) are conducting major research in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region in collaboration with numerous partners. major research projects in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region. This article presents Martin Girardin, an expert in dendrochronology and a specialist in effects of climate change on fire risk, and provides an overview of his work in this region.
Abstract
Plusieurs chercheurs du Service canadien des forêts de Ressources naturelles Canada (SCF) réalisent, en collaboration avec de nombreux partenaires, des travaux de recherche majeurs dans la région de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue. Cet article présente Martin Girardin, expert en dendrochronologie et spécialiste des effets du changement climatique sur le risque de feux, et dresse un survol de ses travaux dans cette région.
Also known as shelterwood cutting with close selection, the 1-2-3 method developed by FPInnovations is increasingly used as a silvicultural practice adapted to the challenges of ecosystem-based management. This method, used in the first phase of shelterwood cutting, aims to promote the establishment of regeneration before the final harvest. The methods chosen make it possible to reduce the generally high costs of partial cuts by limiting the decrease in productivity of the harvesters caused by the congestion of the caused by the congestion of the residual stand.
Abstract
Aussi appelée, coupe progressive avec sélection rapprochée, la méthode 1-2-3 mise au point par FPInnovations est de plus en plus utilisée à titre de pratique sylvicole adaptée aux enjeux de l’aménagement écosystémique. Cette méthode, employée lors de la première phase de la coupe progressive, a pour objectif de favoriser l’établissement de la régénération avant la récolte finale. Les modalités choisies permettent de diminuer les coûts généralement élevés des coupes partielles en limitant les baisses de productivité des abatteuses qui sont causées par l’encombrement du peuplement résiduel.
Canada is part of a global effort to replace the use of fossil fuels, which are major emitters of greenhouse gases, with cleaner alternatives. The Canadian Wood Fibre Centre (CWFC) is pursuing research in this area by looking at forest biomass as a substitute for petroleum products. Its research focuses on forest biomass supply sources (quantity available, location, harvesting costs, environmental impacts) and also on the characterization of wood fibre in order to develop new products for various uses.
Abstract
Le Canada s’inscrit dans le déploiement d’efforts à l’échelle mondiale en vue de remplacer l’utilisation de combustibles fossiles, grands émetteurs de gaz à effet de serre, par des alternatives moins polluantes. Le Centre canadien sur la fibre de bois (CCFB) poursuit des recherches en ce sens en s’intéressant à la biomasse forestière comme substitut aux produits pétroliers. Ses recherches portent sur les sources d’approvisionnement en biomasse forestière (la quantité disponible, la localisation, les coûts de récolte, les impacts environnementaux) et aussi sur la caractérisation de la fibre de bois afin de développer de nouveaux produits qui seront utilisés à diverses fins.
The purpose of the symposium was to raise awareness of the urgent need to act to protect our forests and markets from exotic forest pests. The objectives were to: increase or improve prevention and detection measures against exotic forest pests; to make known the degree of involvement of each actor concerned; and promote exchanges and networking. The objectives were: to increase or improve prevention and detection measures against exotic forest pests; to make known the degree of involvement of each stakeholder; and to promote exchanges and networking.
Abstract
Le colloque avait pour but de sensibiliser les participants à l’urgence d’agir pour protéger nos forêts et nos marchés contre les ravageurs forestiers exotiques.
Les objectifs poursuivis étaient les suivants : augmenter ou améliorer les mesures de prévention et de détection contre les ravageurs forestiers exotiques; faire connaître le degré d’implication de chaque acteur concerné; et favoriser les échanges et le réseautage.
Forest biomass can be used to produce biofuels in solid, liquid and gaseous form. This article focuses on solid fuels and the feeding of cogeneration plants and institutional boiler rooms. Liquid and gaseous fuels will be the subject of future articles in this series.
Abstract
La biomasse forestière permet de produire des biocombustibles sous forme solide, liquide et gazeuse. Cet article porte sur les combustibles solides et l’alimentation des centrales de cogénération et des chaufferies institutionnelles. Les combustibles liquides et gazeux feront l’objet des prochains articles de cette série.
Plani-S offers those responsible for the construction and maintenance of forest roads (forest industry, wildlife stakeholders, municipalities, etc.) the necessary information on the means available to them to better manage their water crossings. More specifically, they will obtain practical information on: the calculation of stream flow; proper installation of stream crossings; existing erosion control products; and maintenance and inspection of stream crossings.
Abstract
Plani-S offre aux responsables de la construction et de l’entretien de chemins forestiers (industrie forestière, intervenants fauniques, municipalités, etc.) l’information nécessaire sur les moyens mis à leur disposition pour mieux gérer leurs traverses de cours d’eau. Plus précisément, ils obtiendront des renseignements pratiques sur: le calcul du débit des cours d’eau; l’installation adéquate des traverses de cours d’eau; les produits existants pour le contrôle de l’érosion; et l’entretien et l’inspection des traverses de cours d’eau.
A high-performance company is one whose operational process is under control at the organizational, financial and environmental levels. DiagFor is a tool that allows you to evaluate the performance of a company, to identify areas for improvement and to position yourself in relation to others.
Abstract
Une entreprise performante est celle dont le processus opérationnel est sous contrôle sur les plans organisationnel, financier et environnemental. DiagFor est un outil qui permet d’évaluer la performance d’une entreprise, d’identifier les points d’amélioration et de se positionner par rapport aux autres.
