Forest Fires > Natural Disturbance Database

British Columbia Natural Disturbance Database

Ware fire C. Delong photo

Project Summary 

Natural disturbances such as wildfires and forest insect outbreaks can have a significant impact on forest age structure and species composition, influencing timber supply, habitat availability for many plant and animal species, and the potential for future disturbances.

Significant forest fires and forest insect and disease outbreaks have been mapped in British Columbia (BC) since the 1920's. However these records have not previously been readily been accessible to researchers, resource managers or the public.

In the course of this project we have collected and digitized all available historical and contemporary maps of wildfire and insect outbreaks in B.C. The spatial data derived from these maps have been converted to ArcInfo format and follow the provincial projection standard (Albers NAD 83). They are available for further analysis by researchers, and accessible to practitioners and the public through Internet map displays and animations. The data is exceptional in historical and geographic extent.

Analysis of the data is ongoing by specialists in fire ecology and behaviour and forest insect population dynamics. A better understanding of the probability, frequency, pattern, and interactions between natural disturbance events (fire, insects) will help in the development of sustainable management plans and practises in British Columbia. The map products will also help increase public awareness of the role and risks of natural disturbances in BC's forests.

For information contact:

Steve Taylor
staylor@pfc.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca