Why Crews Are Setting Fires to Help Fight Fires in Canada’s Forests
The Weather Network
During the summer months, forest fires are a common occurrence in Canada. In 2023, wildfires have already burned over 1 million hectares of land across the country. Firefighting crews are working tirelessly to contain these blazes, and they are using a variety of methods to do so. One of the most effective methods is prescribed burning. Prescribed burning is the controlled application of fire to a specific area of land. It is used to manage vegetation, reduce the risk of wildfires, and improve wildlife habitat. When done properly, prescribed burns can be a safe and effective way to protect forests from larger, more destructive fires.
How does prescribed burning work?
Prescribed burns are typically conducted in the spring or fall, when the weather conditions are less likely to cause the fire to spread out of control. Firefighters first create a firebreak around the area that they want to burn. This firebreak is a wide strip of land that has been cleared of all vegetation. It helps to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to nearby areas. Once the firebreak has been created, firefighters use a variety of methods to start the fire. They may use drip torches, which are handheld devices that drip burning fuel onto the ground. They may also use aerial ignition, which involves dropping incendiary devices from airplanes or helicopters. The firefighters carefully control the fire as it burns. They monitor the weather conditions and the fire’s progress, and they take steps to keep the fire within the designated area. They may use water or fire retardant to help contain the fire.
What are the benefits of prescribed burning?
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Reduces the risk of wildfires:
Prescribed burns remove dead vegetation from the forest, which makes it less likely to burn during a wildfire. *
Manages vegetation:
Prescribed burns can be used to control the growth of certain types of vegetation, such as shrubs and trees. This can help to create a more diverse and healthy forest ecosystem. *
Improves wildlife habitat:
Prescribed burns can create new habitats for wildlife, such as deer, elk, and birds.
Is prescribed burning safe?
Prescribed burns are carefully planned and executed to ensure that they are safe and effective. Firefighters take a number of precautions to minimize the risk of the fire spreading out of control, and they monitor the fire’s progress closely. However, there is always some risk involved with prescribed burns. In rare cases, the fire may escape the firebreak and spread to nearby areas. This is why it is important to only conduct prescribed burns when the weather conditions are favorable and when there are adequate resources available to control the fire.
Conclusion
Prescribed burning is a valuable tool that firefighters use to manage forests and reduce the risk of wildfires. When done properly, prescribed burns can be a safe and effective way to protect our forests and our communities.Crews in Canada are using prescribed burns, a controlled burning technique, to help prevent and manage wildfires in the country’s forests. This involves intentionally setting fires under specific weather conditions to clear out underbrush and dead trees that can fuel larger, uncontrolled wildfires. Prescribed burns are conducted by trained firefighters who carefully plan and execute the burns to minimize the risk of the fire spreading beyond the intended area. They use specialized equipment and techniques to control the burn’s intensity and direction. Using prescribed burns can help prevent larger, more destructive wildfires by reducing the amount of fuel available for them to burn. It also helps maintain healthy forest ecosystems by promoting the growth of new vegetation and reducing the risk of disease and insect infestations. Prescribed burns are a common practice in many parts of Canada, particularly in areas with a history of wildfires. They are considered a valuable tool for wildfire management and are often used in conjunction with other fire prevention measures, such as fuel management and public education campaigns.