Infrared technology is widely used by Canadian wildfire management agencies to achieve wildfire suppression objectives. The use of infrared technology to identify smouldering woody material during the final stages of fire mop-up is most commonly conducted using helicopters equipped with infrared cameras. This report documents the use of an infrared camera by firefighters on the ground on two separate fires in Ontario. FPInnovations has completed several projects related to the use of infrared technology in identifying small, smouldering spots of burning organic material. This Ontario study is our first evaluation of handheld infrared cameras operated on the fireline by fire crews. The initial reaction to the project proposal was suggestion that widespread use of infrared technology on the ground would result in a reduction in cold trailing activities. This study found the use of an infrared camera on the fireline did not alter conventional cold trailing activities but generally complemented conventional patrol and mopup procedures by enabling firefighters to locate more hotspots earlier in the day. In part this study was initiated in response to improvements in infrared camera technology which have increased their applicability to ground patrol operations while reducing the camera acquisition and maintenance cost.
This project is a cooperative study between the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and FPInnovations.
This framework focuses on developing an approach for gathering data intended to improve our understanding of how fire spreads and structures ignite within the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI).
The resultant research will intentionally be limited in scope as the framework outlines a research approach that is limited in scope to focus on FireSmart treatments within the SIZ. As such, the resultant research will not include studies into the effectiveness of landscape level fuel management activities, community scale hazard abatement, or the effectiveness of wildland or structural fire control actions.
The framework addresses critical components of a research deployment in the WUI. Included are prioritized research questions, supported by a decision tree to aid researchers
in identifying specific research priorities that are congruent with the opportunities presented by individual WUI wildfire incidents. Tools, methodologies, equipment, and logistics required to gather the requisite data and answer the research questions are provided within the framework.
Large expanses of black spruce fuels in Canada pose a major wildfire threat to communities and other values at risk. Conventional fuel treatment methods are expensive and fuels managers would like to explore opportunities to mitigate the risk of wildfire through innovations in fuels engineering and prescribed fire. This fuel amendment technique has been applied in a mature lodgepole pine fuel environment where cut stems were piled under the canopy of the adjacent residual forest stand. Prescribed fire was applied in the amended fuels under moderate fire hazard conditions and resulted in fire intensity that was sufficient to scorch aerial fuels and cause stand mortality.
This technique was applied in a dense black spruce forest stand at the Fort Providence Wildfire Experimental Site (FPWES) using chainsaws and brushsaws to cut stems to create fuel amended strips. An experimental burn was conducted in October 2019 to ignite the fuel amended strips and evaluate the consumption of debris and adjacent surface and crown fuels. This project will continue with additional sites prepared for experimental fire at FPWES, Pelican Mountain and Enterprise Wildfire Experimental Site (EWES).
Presentation from the 2017 Fall Advisory Meeting for the Wildfire group. Project goal includes mitigating the risk of wildfire through innovations in fuels engineering and prescribed fire.
Large expanses of black spruce fuels in Canada pose a major wildfire threat to communities and other values at risk. Conventional fuel treatment methods are expensive and fuels managers would like to explore opportunities to mitigate the risk of wildfire through innovations in fuels engineering and prescribed fire. This fuel amendment technique has been applied in a mature lodgepole pine fuel environment where cut stems were piled under the canopy of the adjacent residual forest stand. Prescribed fire was applied in the amended fuels under moderate fire hazard conditions and resulted in fire intensity that was sufficient to scorch aerial fuels and cause stand mortality.
This technique was applied in a dense black spruce forest stand at the Fort Providence Wildfire Experimental Site (FPWES) using chainsaws and brushsaws to cut stems to create fuel amended strips. An experimental burn was conducted in October 2019 to ignite the fuel amended strips and evaluate the consumption of debris and adjacent surface and crown fuels. This project will continue with additional sites prepared for experimental fire at FPWES, Pelican Mountain and Enterprise Wildfire Experimental Site (EWES).
FireSmart Vegetation Management Decision Support Research
Series Number
Wildfire 9397 2021
Language
English
Abstract
A web-based platform is proposed to house a knowledge base of reference material related to several different aspects of vegetation management. This platform would also house a fuel management planning toolbox. This platform will facilitate discussion and guidance from a fuel management working panel of fuels mangers.
This project is a part of the FireSmart Vegetation Management Decision Support Research initiative.
In 2021, the advisory group endorsed the continues of the project with collaborative funding.
Sprinklers are used to protect structures from wildfire during wildland-urban interface (WUI) events across Canada. Traditionally, standard forestry equipment has been used in conjunction with impact sprinklers. FPInnovations is reviewing common practices and equipment used during sprinkler deployments, in Canada, to determine if they are the most appropriate for community structure protection, or if alternative approaches should be considered.
This case study documents the complex protection efforts for more than 450 structures during the Kenow wildfire that occurred in Waterton Lakes National Park in September 2017.
