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Provincial Perspective
Aviation and Forest Fire Management (AFFM) reports that the 2008 forest fire season was the slowest on record in Ontario for the past 50 years both for numbers of fires and the area burned. There were 329 fires in Ontario during the forest fire reporting season from April 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008 burning 1,313 hectares.
Regardless of the 2008 fire season being a wet one, from year-to-year both the weather and receptivity of forest fuels to ignition and fire spread can change quickly and result in conditions which are highly conducive to fire starts. AFFM continues to maintain preparedness levels, including forest fire fighting staff in place, aircraft positioned, base support services and supplies/equipment ready to address the risk of such a change. During the fire season firefighters and water bombers remained on alert in areas of greatest risk of fire.
On average, fire management expends $119 million per year. Every year is different as a result of variability in fire occurrence and fire behaviour. Fire operating expenditures have ranged from $65 to $175, annually over the past ten years. The 2008 fire operational spending is approximately $85 million.
Preparations continue for the 2009 forest fire season with equipment repair and aircraft maintenance as well as staff training and upgrading.
One major highlight from the 2008 fire season had AFFM Aviation Services returning to the Canadian International Air Show during the Labour Day long weekend after an absence of several years.
One major highlight from the 2008 fire season had AFFM Aviation Services returning to the Canadian International Air Show during the Labour Day long weekend after an absence of several years. Two water bombers and a helicopter provided water bombing demonstrations to show southern Ontario residents the capabilities of the provincial aircraft and their air crews. AFFM’s performance was the talk of the show.
Although it may not have been busy in Ontario, some of our FireRanger crews were sent to a couple of the western provinces to assist with their situation.
Regional Perspective
The West Fire Region had 218 fires and 1,215 hectares burned this fire season while the East Fire Region had 111 fires that burned just over 98 hectares. The 2008 fire season also marked some significant events, including confirmation that there are massive areas of forests damaged by past weather events and insect infestations that will pose a fire management challenge in coming years.
In the West Fire Region particularly, the beneficial aspect of fire in ecosystem renewal was a dominant feature in fires this season. The quiet season allowed numerous opportunities for the fire program to venture into its ecological mandate of the beneficial use of fire in the forest ecology. There were several instances were fires were monitored on islands and in provincial parks to fulfill their ecological benefits.
This summer provided an excellent opportunity for FireRanger crews from both regions to maintain many excellent skills. Crew safety and training audits were held and values protection exercises were conducted with crews involved in the strategic setup and operation of sprinklers systems. FireRangers and Air Operations were involved with advanced training in all areas including fire investigation, mutual aid with municipal and rural volunteer fire departments, fire assessment, air attack simulation, and hover exits to name a few.
When FireRangers weren’t busy fighting fires or honing their skills, they spent time assisting with flood relief, storm clean-up as well as helping Ontario Parks with various tasks.
AFFM prides itself on the advancement of a first class FireSmart program where fire staff visit cottage associations and attend outdoor and tradeshows to provide education on how to be FireSmart. Fire staff from the Sudbury district spent an afternoon with the Sans Souci Copperhead Cottage Association near Parry Sound to talk to them about fire prevention and control, what cottage owners can do to protect their cottages, properties and surrounding areas.
In both regions there has been a great deal of advancement in replacing the aging capital infrastructure. In the Sioux Lookout district, the opening of the Pickle Lake staff quarters was celebrated along with the completion of a new warehouse and the start of a new forest fire management facility in Hearst. The fire program has also launched several green initiatives in 2008 in order to continue to reduce its impact on the environment.
In the West Fire Region, a quick strike air attack was provided to the Province of Manitoba and a training mission with a CL-415 water bomber and a birddog was conducted in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The aviation program also was able to assist the Canadian and U.S. military with engine changes in Dryden and Thunder Bay.
Pembroke Fire Management Headquarters staff had the honour and privilege to attend the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony in September. About 300 firefighters, including forest firefighters attended the ceremony.
Planning is ongoing in preparation for future challenges to the fire program including climate change adaptation, changes in forest fuels related to insect and weather damage and dealing with escalated fire conditions.
