Canadian Forest Service Publications
CANFIRE model. de Groot, W. 2012. Natural Resources Canada. Canadian Forest Service. Great Lakes Forestry Centre. Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Frontline Express 62. 2p.
Year: 2012
Issued by: Great Lakes Forestry Centre
Catalog ID: 34093
Language: English
Series: Frontline Express (GLFC - Sault Ste. Marie)
Availability: PDF (download)
Abstract
Forest fires are a critical element of healthy forest ecosystems across Canada. An average of 8,000 forest fires occur each year, while the area burned ranges from 0.7 to 7.6 million ha/year. In boreal forests in particular, fire plays an essential role in renewal, however these fires are frequently large, with rapid rates of spread and high fuel consumption. Canadian Forest Service (CFS) fire scientists recently developed the CanFIRE model, which is a useful tool in improving our understanding of forest fire behaviour, the impact of fires on the landscape and their contribution to Canada’s carbon emissions. This information is essential for international reporting under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. In addition, the model is useful for predicting how fire patterns will change in the future, with a warming climate. Currently, average annual suppression costs range from $500 million to $1 billion, but this cost is expected to rise with predicted increasing fire activity and subsequent threats to values at risk.
