Wildfires, by definition, are a natural phenomenon and an integral component of healthy ecological cycles.
But urbanization, shifting foresting practices, a rise in arson, and changes in climate patterns have all contributed to fires becoming a major focus of Canadian government bodies.
British Columbia endures an average of nearly 1,500 wildfires per yer, based on data since 2008. Of these, almost half are human-caused. Annual damages range from $50 million to over $700 million.
Following a particularly bad year for fires in 2023 (a $700M+ season), the BC Wildfire Service is leveraging modern technology to combat nature’s wrath—before she gets too angry to handle.
“As the impacts of climate change evolve, so too must our ability to manage the threat of wildfires in our communities,” asserts Bruce Ralston, who serves as Minister of Forests for the Province of B.C.
In advance of the 2024 wildfire season, B.C. is introducing technology that aims to produce real-time wildfire behaviour predictions utilizing information directly from the field.
“During a wildfire, every second counts as wildfire professionals deploy aircraft and firefighters to tackle blazes,” says Ralston. “By adding more technology to the BC Wildfire Service’s tool kit, our talented firefighters will be able to make critical decisions faster when it matters most.”
The adoption of tech is aligned with feedback from the Premier’s Expert Task Force on Emergencies and follows a trial of the software conducted last year.
The wildfire predictive technology will first be introduced in the Coastal and Kamloops Fire Centres, where it was trialled. Following “continued trials, refinements, and staff training,” B.C.’s other four regional fire centres will phase in the new wildfire predictive technology.
Greg Boyachuk, senior wildfire officer of operations for the Coastal Fire Centre, recalls how the technology made a difference combatting fires during last year’s trial.
“Last August, the Coastal Fire Centre experienced a major lightning event across most of the region, which resulted in over 110 new wildfires in four days,” Boyachuk remembers. “With the support of a fire behaviour specialist using the trial software, we were able to triage the new starts as they were discovered.”
The software was able to predict 12 hours of fire spread in less than 15 minutes, the wildfire officer said. This is compared to the prior manual process, which could take hours to achieve the same result.
“That allowed us to identify which wildfires were a priority for initial attack resources based on their potential to spread and threaten communities,” Boyachuk explains. “As an operational decision-maker, I am thrilled we are investing in broader use of this technology and look forward to more learning.”
Wildfire growth modelling works by using data from weather models, topography, and fuel maps.
Collaborative efforts with jurisdictions using similar technologies, including California and Australia, have allowed the BC Wildfire Service to quickly operationalize and expand the use of these tools.
“I’ve experienced first-hand the power of technology to transform the way response organizations work together to reduce impacts to communities and natural values,” says believes Thom Porter, task force member and former director of California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. “British Columbia’s investment in predictive technologies and sharing information among responders is an investment that will save lives, property and the environment in 2024 and beyond.”
Other technology trials underway include using drones for aerial ignitions, infrared scanning for hazard assessments, and 5G technology for more sensor networks used to monitor forest conditions. Techcouver has for years covered much of the province’s rising use of deploying tech versus fire.
The Premier’s Expert Task Force on Emergencies was established in October to provide advice to the Province as government prepares for the 2024 wildfire season.
A version of this article was originally published on Techcouver.com.
THE MIDWAY ADVANCE 