It was a big night for the Wood Buffalo Recovery Committee (WBRC) when they meet on March 22 at 6:00 in the council chambers at Jubilee plaza.
There was four presentations, Judy Butz, Fire Chief with Regional Emergency Services speaking in two and the other two from FireSmart Canada.
Wildfire Response and Readiness 2017
Jennifer Zentner and Chad Morrison from Agriculture and Forestry, Government of Alberta gave a presentation on how wild fires will be detected this upcoming season.
In order to predict how a fire season will unfold the following needs to be considered:
- Fall 2016 saw above normal precipitation amounts meaning fuel moisture was higher than previous years
- Winter 2016 was generally colder than winter 2015 but the amount of snowfall as of March 1 is 53% of the normal
- Generally the nature of snow melt and spring rains determine the character of spring wildfires. A slow snow melt along with periodic spring rains will mean more moisture in soil and vegetation.
For the upcoming 2017 fire season weather patterns will be a huge consideration.
The flush of new vegetation will also play a role in determining the characteristics of the upcoming fire season.
Mainly, dryer conditions will mean for a more active fire behaviour and by studying the water patterns and amount of moisture in the soil fire managers will be provided an indication on how difficult it will be to extinguish a wildfire.
It is also noted that the forests around Fort McMurray have drastically changed.
The 2016 wildfire consumed most of the coniferous trees that are more susceptible to wildfire and burn with a greater intensity as well as the fine and course woody debris on the forest floor.
For 2017, the greater risk is the cured grass fuels, especially in open areas like pipelines, utility corridors, cut block and burned stands.
Wildfire management will consist of sustainable forest management, wildfire management planning, landscaping management planning, monitoring and controlling forest health activities and the best available science, knowledge and technology.
They are also prepared with the following crews to manage any forest fires:
- 8-4 person initial attack crews
- 1-20 person unit crew – sustained action
- 2-8 person firetack crews – sustained action
- 50 person capacity – Marten firebase
- 50 person capacity – Grayling firebase
- 50 person capacity – Fort Chipewyan firebase
- 2 loading pits – Fort McMurray air tanker base
- 13 lookouts from May till September
- 14 Permanent Automated Weather Stations (PAWS)
- Aircraft availability
- 1 – Intermediate Bell 407
- 1 – Medium Bell 212
Jody Butz gave an overview of the Regional Emergency Services Resources, enhancing coordination and public awareness.
The Regional Emergency Services will be replacing damaged equipment, purchasing additional equipment as well as getting more training and experienced personnel.
To enhance coordination, there will be improvements and exercises done with integrated partners.
To make the public more aware of the fire season they will have more access to information through the Government of Alberta and the Regional Municipalities wildfire season communications campaign, PULSE and the Alberta emergency Alert App.
Emergency Services Evacuation Plan Update
Butz also gave an update on the Evacuation Plan.
It will be an all hazards plan, a component of the Municipal Emergency Management Plan and could be applied to any community or the region as a whole.
The current status of the evacuation plan includes incorporated initial learnings such as improved inter-agency information flow and an updated evacuation decision matrix.
It also includes community profiles such as hazard risk assessments, demographic profiling and response information.
The next steps for the evacuation plan include testing the plans with partners and the public so that the community feels validated. Then the plan will be complete and can be incorporated into the Municipal Emergency Management plan.
