We surveyed fire behaviour experts and wildlife biologists to rank the importance of four factors that affect the costs and benefits of seven post-harvest debris treatments and to determine the overall costs of each treatment to the forest industry and Alberta’s government. The four factors are fire behaviour potential, wildlife suitability, regeneration capability, and treatment costs.
We tested six plant species or mixes at Vegreville, Alberta to determine their ignition and fire behaviour characteristics and whether they could be used along linear corridors to reduce the fire potential at strategic locations. Nine ignition trials over three years and one grass-fire burning into the test plots were completed to allow ranking of the species based on their characteristics. Three of the species were chosen for additional field studies: white clover, yarrow, and Plateau Rocky Mountain fescue.
FPInnovations investigated the effectiveness of mowing grass to reduce potential fire behaviour in corridors in Alberta. Plots of grass mowed in the spring or the previous fall were spring burned alongside plots of standing grass, and fire behaviour was documented. Results showed that mowing does influence fire behaviour in grass, and that season of mowing affects fire intensity. Mowing the grass in spring decreased the fire intensity values by 50% relative to no mowing, and fire intensity values decreased by a further 50% if mowing was completed in the fall.
The Forest Engineering Research Institute of Canada (FERIC) evaluated the potential for all terrain vehicles (ATVs) to ignite fires in certain types of wildland fuels. Rechearchers documented exhaust system temperatures, interviewed ATV riders about their riding habits, and inspected ATVs to identify where potentially flammable debris could accumulate on the vehicles.
Oriented residue piles and constructed burn piles have different characteristics, including fuel size, composition, and fuel arrangement. The comparative ignition trials conducted in this proof-of-concept study suggest that these characteristics influence the fuel environment, with a higher potential for ignition and sustained burning and greater resultant fire intensity in constructed burn piles. The intent of this proof-of-concept trial was to determine whether logging residue piles that have been oriented for biomass extraction (placed in parallel piles by the processor operator during primary harvesting activities) is a significant fuel hazard that requires further abatement.
The difficulty of controlling a wildfire may be increased if the fire involves a linear disturbance. Cured grass allows fire to spread quickly and for extended distances. Accurately predicting fire behaviour and thus understanding possible tactics to slow or stop fire spread require a knowledge of the amount of fuel available to burn. The Forest Engineering Research Institute of Canada (FERIC) tested a technique to quickly assess grass fuel loads using a grass disc meter developed in South Africa that is used to determine a relationship between disc height and fuel load.
Forty years of historical fire data are presented and used to calculate the expected costs of the two current approaches to managing harvesting debris along the eastern slopes of Alerrta's Rocky Mountains. These two approaches are to burn the debris piles or to leave them unburned within the cutblock. Recommendations on the management of this debris are made to forest operators within this region.
The Forest Engineering Research Institute of Canada (FERIC) reviewed forty years of historical fire data for the east-central region of Alberta. These data are presented and used to calculate the expected costs of the two conventional approaches to managing harvesting debris, which are to burn the debris piles or to leave them unburned within the cutblock. As well, recommendations on the management of this debris are made to forest operators within this region. This report is the second of four planned reports that will address the harvesting debris issues for different regions of the province.
The Forest Engineering Research Institute of Canada (FERIC) reviewed forty years of historical fire data for the northern region of Alberta. Based on these data, the expected costs are presented for the two conventional approaches to managing harvesting debris: burn the debris piles or leave them unburned within the cutblock. Recommendations on the management of this debris are also made to forest operators within this region. This report is the last of four Advantage reports that addess the harvesting debris issues for different regions of the province.
The Forest Engineering Research Institute of Canada (FERIC) reviewed forty years of historical fire data for the west-central region of Alberta. This report presents the expected costs, based on the data, of the two conventional approaches to managing harvesting debris, which are to burn the debris piles or to leave them unburned within the cutblock. FERIC also provides recommendations on the management of this debris for operators within this region. This report is the third of four planned reports that will address the harvesting debris issues for different regions of the province.
