Wildfires

• May 2016 a huge wildfire nicknamed “The Beast” swept across parts of Alberta in Canada

  burning over 600,000ha of land.
• The fire started south-west of the city of Fort McMurray on May 1st 2016 though precise cause is unknown. The fire was initially under control, however, a change in wind

  direction led to the fire destroying the outskirts of the city of Fort Mc Murray.
• Satellite imagery showed evidence of “spotting” where burning embers blown by the wind ignite fires swell ahead of the front of the main blaze.
• The fire burned erratically around Fort Mc Murray making it difficult for firefighters to

  contain it, in one instance the fire jumped a 1km wide river.
• Prior to the fire the environmental conditions were favourable, a lack of winter snowfall

  combined with warmer-than average temperatures dried out the ground. In late April temperatures were high and combined with low humidity vegetation in the

  area became tinder dry. The first few days of May saw temperatures over 30 degrees centigrade and increasing winds.
• The intensity of the fire created its own weather conditions including lightning, which led to the ignition of additional fires. This type of positive feedback is extremely rare and illustrated the intensity and ferocity of the fire.
• Climate scientists have linked the creation of the wildfire to a strong El Nino event that created unusually warm and dry early spring conditions. Links to climate change are less clear as the increase in fires could be down to better reporting. However, some climate change scenarios suggest earlier springs in high latitudes could extend the fire season and thereby the risk of wildfire.
• Economic impacts

  • Insurance companies estimated costs of damage to be CAN$9 billion in the Fort McMurray area.
  • A third of workers in the nearby oil sands industry had to be evacuated.
  • Shell Canada temporarily shut down its oil production in Alberta and 600 work camp units were destroyed.
  • The cost to the oil sands industry was estimated at CAN$1 billion.
  • Transport was seriously affected including the nearby international airport.
• Social impacts

  • 90,000 people were forced to flee Fort Mc Murray.
  • 2400 homes and buildings were destroyed in Fort mc Murray.
  • Jobs and livelihoods were affected and movement around the area restricted.
  • Local people have become increasingly anxious about wildfire risk and how climate change may increase the frequency of these fires.
  • Water supplies were contaminated as untreated water was added to the municipal water supply to assist firefighters
• Environnemental impacts

  • Intensity of the fire severely affected the boreal forest ecosystem due to scorched soil and burned tree roots.
  • The dry, parched soils increase a further risk of wildfires until the first heavy rains came.
  • Several millions tonnes of Carbon Dioxide were released into the atmosphere.
  • Toxins including lead, mercury and organic compounds were released from burning trees and buildings created air pollution as far away as the USA.
  • Ash was washed into rivers after heavy rain, leading to water pollution and contamination of fish and other aquatic wildlife
• Political impact

  • The fire fuelled the debate about the impacts of climate change and increased levels of vulnerability in the future as the fire season may be extended by earlier spring snow melts.
  • Government officials had to oversee evacuation procedures and liaise with emergency services.
  • Alberta government had to oversee a phased and safe re-entry of the local population to the affected area.
  • Reconstruction programmes for buildings, services and infrastructure needed to be coordinated.
• Initial response to the newly ignited fire

  1. Careful monitoring using ground and satellite data

  2. Predicting the track of the fire

  3. Issuing warnings

  4. Mobilising emergency services
• As the fire neared Fort McMurray, 90,000 people were evacuated
• Lack of deaths and injuries illustrated the effective evacuation procedure
• Aircraft were used to evacuate some of the oil sands workers
• Alberta government announced a state of emergency which triggered support from the armed forces
• Neighbouring states loaned helicopters, water bombers and firefighters
• Offers of help were also offered from countries such as USA, Russia and Australia
• In nearby Edmonton, an online registry supported by local government and business organisations was created to help evacuees find accommodation
• Many landlords lowered rates for evacuees
• Alberta government supported evacuees by providing CAN$1250 per adult to cover living expenses
• Canadian Red Cross received donations in excess of CAN $50 million
• Residents were allowed to return to Fort McMurray to start the rebuilding process


  June
• A benefit concert "Fire Aid" took place in Edmonton to raise money for those affected by the disaster

  End of June
• Wildfire Mitigation strategy for the area surrounding and including Fort Mc Murray

  1. Producing hazard risk assessment maps to identify areas of highest risk

  2. Measures needed to reduce the risk
• FireSmart Priority Zoning

  1. Advising property owners to reduce the amount of vegetation close to their buildings to reduce fire risk

  2. Zones inspected on a regular basis
• Improving signage and the surface of rural roads

  1. To allow effective evacuation

  2. To allow access for emergency services
• Altering building codes


  To ensure that new developments are FireSmart
• Training staff


  To assess and advise property owners on how their buildings can be made FireSmart and more resistant to wildfires
• A report produced by Zurich Insurance acknowledged the efforts of the local community and firefighters in ensuring no deaths and 90% of buildings remaining intact.
• However, it was noted that further work was required in terms educating local people about the wildfire risk and engage them in activities to make their properties more resilient to future risks.
• Furthermore the Alberta Government should ensure on having a pre-hazard major wildfire recovery plan already in place rather than reacting retrospectively. The focus of the plan should be on building community resilience pre-fire and building back better following a major fire.