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Projects
Canadian Boreal Community FireSmart Project:
Wildfire research in Fort Providence, NT since 1997
Wildfire professionals from around the continent and the world have been coming to the CBCFS projects site (formerly the International Crown Fire Modelling Experiment - ICFME) since 1997.
The site is located 50 km north of Fort Providence and is a valuable resource for conducting research into wildland fire behaviour, fire fighter safety and FireSmart principles. The project area is in two parts. A timbered area of approximately 300ha on the west side of Hwy 3 bordered by birch bog along its other boundaries. The stand originated from a wildland fire in 1931 and is predominantly 10m Jack Pine with a minor Black Spruce and Aspen component. The second area is 3 km south and is composed of approximately 150 ha of birch bog which straddles the highway.
The research team, lead by GNWT ENR staff, includes local fire crews and researchers who have come from NWT, Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Quebec, Saskatchewan as well as over a dozen countries including the USA, Russia, France & Japan.
The knowledge and understanding of fire behaviour, firefighter safety and FireSmart principles gained by these researchers is shared with wildfire professionals all over the world.
“The burn trials teach us how FireSmart principles really work, we’ve come to understand how to better protect homes threatened by wildfire.” says Kris Johnson, Fire Science Manager with the Northwest Territories Forest Management Division “I’ve seen firsthand the difference FireSmart makes. Doing a bit of maintenance around your yard can make a world of difference in a wildfire situation. It not only protects your home but also keeps our fire fighters safe.” Taking simple steps to move your firewood pile away from your home and keeping your yard free of debris can help to reduce the damage a wildfire can do to your home.
“The burns couldn’t happen without the support and involvement of the community of Fort Providence.” says Ray Ault of FPInnovations, he has been coming to Fort Providence since 1997 and each year he is welcome by the community and looks forward to coming back.
Activities on the site are coordinated by a GNWT project manager with the researchers, local authorities and the Regional and Territorial Fire Control Officers.
An annual operations plan is in place and is available in the yearly sections.
Work on the research season is constantly ongoing with discussions, reviews and meetings throughout the year.
For more information, please contact the Project manager:
Larry Nixon
Wildfire Risk Management Coordinator
Fire Science, Forest Management Division Environment and Natural Resources,
GNWT PO Box 7 - 149 McDougal Rd.
Fort Smith, NT X0E 0P0
867.872.7705 (P) 867.872.2077 (F)
