Wildfire

Figure 1: Burn Areas, Northern Saskatchewan

Wildfire is a natural regenerative force within the boreal forest and native grassland. Lightning accounts for just under 50% of all fires while the remainder are caused by humans. Wildfire must be effectively managed to protect life and property.

The forest area burned between 1999 to 2007 is illustrated in Figure 1. In the last 15 years Saskatchewan has experienced, on average, 510 fires and burned 388,000 ha/year. Major wildfires were experienced in 2008, 2002, 1999, 1995 and 1936. Wildfire can result in loss of timber, wildlife, property and livelihood, at least in the short term. Smoke can directly impact on human health and lead to residents being evacuated.

As the climate gets warmer and drier the fire severity levels across the province are expected to increase (Figure 2). The frequency of fires is expected to increase by up to 50% by the end of the century.

Figure 2: Seasonal Forest Fire Severity Levels (Animated) (Source: NRCan Atlas of Canada website)

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  Figure 2a: 1980-1989
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  Figure 2b: 2050-2059
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  Figure 2c: 2090-2099

The Saskatchewan Government is involved in a number of initiatives to reduce the risk of wildfire. FireSmart is a program that assists individuals, communities and businesses in reducing the risk of fire arising from their buildings and properties. For more information on the program see SaskAdapt.ca Success Story – Fire Suppression or the provincial Wildfire Management website. The province has also adopted a Wildfire Management Strategy (Figure 3). The strategy is meant to protect life and property, allow for ecological benefits of wildfire and reduce overall fire suppression cost. The objectives of the strategy and four zones of action are summarized in Figure 4.

Figure 5 illustrates the application of the wildfire management strategy zones to Saskatchewan.

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  Figure 3: Saskatchewan's Wildfire Management Strategies (website or PDF)
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  Figure 5: Forest Fire Management Strategy Zones in SK - 2010

Figure 4: Summary of Saskatchewan’s Wildfire Management Strategy and Description of Zones

Adaptation Actions

• Continue with the FireSmart program that assists individuals, communities and businesses in reducing the risk of fire. For more information on the program see SaskAdapt.ca Success Story – Fire Suppression
• Improve predictions and warning capability.
• Ensure insurance and disaster support is in place.
• Continue fire suppression efforts with implementation of the Wildfire Management Strategy.