Every year, forest wildfires impact communities in Canada, and the need to mitigate their effects only grows.
Wildfires are part of a balanced ecosystem; they are caused by dry fuel, such as twigs and leaves. Hot, dry, and windy weather conditions can further cause drought, which may also contribute to wildfires. Research also shows that the dryness of trees (aka fuel aridity) greatly affects the severity of forest wildfires, and they can fuel the fires to such an extent that they impact a forest’s recovery afterwards.
York Professor Eric B. Kennedy, whose research focuses on wildfire management, explains that fires can be caused by human activity or natural causes. “In the category of natural causes, we would be talking about lightning-caused fires, primarily,” he says. “For human-caused fires, this can be a wide range of different causes. It could be someone who leaves a campfire without extinguishing it and it spreads. It could be activities like cars or ATVs being used in dry places and their hot metal components touch very dry grass and cause ignition. It could be things like people who use fire to burn garbage or fields and those getting out of control.”
Fires can also result in the destruction of homes and infrastructure, not to mention their impact on air quality. “When you have a lot of smoke released, that can release harmful particulates into the air. Those particulates can be really damaging to people’s health,” says Kennedy. “That smoke can have an adverse impact, just like other forms of urban air pollution having a negative impact on health. It can lead to morbidity and mortality.”
Statistics from the Canadian National Fire Database (CNFDB) show that in 2023, the country witnessed its worst fire season since 1989. Up to 18 million hectares of area were burned through over 12,000 wildfires in Canada. The highest density was in central Canada, including northern Manitoba and Northwest Territories.
According to Kennedy, “when it comes to preventing fires, one thing we can do is try to reduce the sources of ignition. We can also reduce the severity or impact of the fire when it does occur.” He cites risk reduction measures, such as prescribed fires, thinning out a forest, or removing flammable debris on the ground to combat wildfires.
FireSmart Canada, an organization that teaches communities about fire safety, notes the ways in which residents can minimize the impact of a fire on their homes. This includes using flame-resistant building materials and limiting the amount of flammable vegetation surrounding the residence.
To ensure individual safety during times of poor air quality, Kennedy advises the use of an air purifier and high-quality face masks when outdoors, especially during dry summer months when the risk of wildfire is greater.
While the threat of wildfires only grows with climate change, it is important to note that fire occurs naturally in any forest or grassland. As Kennedy states: “In Canada, our boreal forest has evolved with fire for thousands of years; we’ve had fire as part of this ecosystem and it actually means that the species have adapted to fire.”
The responsibility of addressing wildfires falls not only on the government, but individuals and communities as well. Being responsible with fire, supporting conservation, and making eco-friendly choices can help reduce the risks and ensure personal safety.
