Protecting communities
Where people and forests come together, fire is an issue. Wildland fire can threaten public safety and damage or destroy homes and other property. Community evacuation is sometimes required.
Forest fire in Terrace Bay, Ontario
Photo: Gary Gusol
As more people purchase recreational properties in forested areas or move into residential developments in forested areas, they are increasing their potential exposure to wildland fires. The effects of climate change may also lead to some increase in the incidence of fires experienced by communities in the future.
Firefighting activities are essential in protecting communities. At the same time, it is important for communities and homeowners to understand the dangers of wildland fires, how they can help prevent fires from starting and spreading, and what they can do to reduce the risk to their communities and homes.
The main risk factors
Many factors influence the risk of wildland fires occurring and the way they will behave.
- Ecological factors are the main influences, such as forest type, tree age, topography and weather.
- Human factors play a part in developed forest areas. For example, the risk of fire rises when forestry operations take place in dry conditions, and where logging roads give recreationists increased access to forested back country.
Awareness of all of these factors improves a community’s ability to reduce the fire risk around it, and to prepare for and recover from fires.
Forest management agencies have sophisticated tools for measuring ecological risk factors. These agencies are now also beginning to examine the social factors.
FireSmart® Canada
Public awareness programs such as FireSmart® Canada are helping communities manage and reduce fire risk.
The FireSmart® manual and website provide homeowners, landscape planners and forest managers with advice on how to protect homes and communities located in forest areas. These resources also provide tools to help increase public safety, protect structures and reduce evacuation and firefighting costs.
Examples of the mitigation measures that communities and homeowners can take include:
- minimizing and controlling vegetation growth around communities and residential properties
- building residences and other structures with fire-resistant materials
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