Forest Fire in Canada
Fire
plays an important role in most forest ecosystems in Canada. As
these ecosystems have evolved over the last 10,000-15,000 years
(since the glacial retreat at the end of the last ice age), fire
has helped to maintain their health and diversity. From a socio-economic
perspective fire can, however, have negative or undesirable effects
on public health and safety, property, and natural resources.
The challenge of managing fire in Canada is to find ways to effectively
balance the positive ecological aspects of fire with the negative
social and economic impacts.
The Government of Canada, through Natural Resources Canada's Canadian
Forest Service (CFS), makes an important contribution to fire management
in two ways.
First,
the CFS has maintained an internationally recognized research program
since the mid-1920s that has resulted in many innovations and new
operational tools. Secondly, over the past two decades we have developed
information systems that use advanced technologies (e.g., geographic
information systems and remote sensing) to monitor and report on
forest fire activity at a national scale.
These activities have resulted in Canada becoming a world leader
in forest fire research and management and have contributed to the
overall safety and well-being of Canadians and to the sustainability
of our forests.
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National
Forest Fire Situation Report
View
the report
The National Forest Fire Situation Report provides a summary
of current and historical fire activity. |
New
interactive map feature
Zoom in to check for forest fires near your community and
zoom out to see the national situation using our new near-real
time interactive map.
View
the map |
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Canadian
Wildland Fire Strategy
Federal, provincial, and territorial governments
are developing a new way of managing wildland fires in Canada.
More Information |
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FireSmart
View the
FireSmart Fact Sheets
Learn how to protect your community from
wildfire.
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The
Canadian Wildland Fire Information System
Enter
the CWFIS
The CWFIS is a web-based fire information
system that monitors daily forest fire conditions and fire
occurrences across Canada.
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CFS
Fire Research
Learn more about fire research
at the CFS
The Canadian Forest Service has been conducting
forest fire research for over 100 years. |
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