Canadian Forest Service Publications

Year: 2018

Available from: Pacific Forestry Centre

Catalog ID: 39432

Language: English

Series: Information Report (PFC - Victoria)

CFS Availability: PDF (download)

Plain Language Summary

This document describes the background, methodology, and results associated with a new provincial fuel type layer for fire behaviour prediction in British Columbia. The fuel type layer was produced by translating forest inventory polygons from provincial partners (BC Min. of Forests, Lands, Nat. Res. Ops. and Rural Dvpt.), representing the entire surface of BC, into fuel type categories of the Canadian Fire Behaviour Prediction (FBP) System. The report provides a literature review as well as a comprehensive algorithm and justification documenting the decision steps for translating millions of data elements into the FBP fuel types. Results also include maps and tables showing the relative proportions and distribution of the fuel types across the province. These data will be used by the BC Wildfire Service for fire behaviour prediction and planning at multiple scales, including operational fire behaviour prediction, resource planning, hazard reduction, and other purposes, as well as for future research on fire hazard and risk. This report also helps inform and provide accountability and transparency to fire management and fire behaviour prediction.