Latest news with #CanadianFireWeatherIndex
Local Norway
20-05-2025
- Climate
- Local Norway
Public warned as forest fire alert issued for western Norway
The Norwegian Meteorological Institute has upgraded the danger warning for forest fires to orange , Norway's highest level issued for fire danger. This warning is expected to remain in place until significant rainfall occurs, which may not come for days. Further inland, the danger remains at yellow level – still concerning, but less acute. "Vegetation can catch fire very easily: Do not use open flames, heed the warning that applies until Sunday," the Meteorological Institute warned. READ MORE: Norway's rules for fires and BBQs An ongoing risk The danger level was officially raised last week, with the probability of forest fires rated as likely (meaning, over 50 percent). The orange level indicates that there is a high probability of forest fires starting and a significant risk that they may grow to sizes that are difficult to manage. Large areas could be affected quickly, especially with rising temperatures, low humidity, and no rain in sight. Rapid ignition The Norwegian Meteorological Institute is clear about the potential consequences: "Vegetation can ignite very easily: Very large areas can be affected." In such dry conditions, a single spark – from a cigarette, campfire, or piece of machinery – can lead to a wildfire that spreads rapidly before firefighters can respond. Advertisement Advice to the public In response to the heightened risk, authorities are asking the public to avoid all forms of open flames and to closely follow instructions from local fire and civil protection services. Even outside of an orange warning, Norway enforces a general campfire ban from April 15th to September 15th. Open fires in or near forests, including barbecues and bonfires, are prohibited during this period unless a municipality explicitly states otherwise. EXPLAINED: What Norway's weather alerts actually mean The Norwegian warning system Forest fire warnings in Norway use a colour-coded system, primarily yellow and orange for fire danger. Red is reserved for extreme weather events with the potential for catastrophic damage and loss of life. Warnings are based on the Forest Fire Danger Index, calculated using temperature, humidity, precipitation, and wind data. Advertisement This system, which has been in use since 2021, has been adapted from the Canadian Fire Weather Index and tailored to Norwegian climate conditions . The forest fire index operates on a "traffic light" model used internationally, ranging from green (safe) to red (extreme danger).
Calgary Herald
10-05-2025
- Climate
- Calgary Herald
What's the current wildfire risk in various parts of Alberta?
While hot, dry conditions mean northern Alberta is tinder for the wildfire taking, some pockets around Alberta ranked particularly high Friday on the scale established as the Canadian Fire Weather Index (FWI) System, a widely used tool that provides a numerical rating of the potential fire intensity in forested areas. Article content Article content The scale gives firefighters a better picture of how likely a forest fire is to start, spread, and how intense it could be. Article content Article content SLAVE LAKE — EXTREME DANGER Article content Article content The wildfire danger was once again extreme in the Slave Lake Forest Area due to hot, dry, and windy conditions. Article content Since Jan. 1 there have been 52 wildfires reported in the Slave Lake Forest Area resulting in a total burned area of 36.33 hectares. Article content 'Smoke may still be visible in the Buffalo Bay area, southwest of Grouard, due to a wildfire. Big Lakes Fire Services is monitoring the situation,' the notice reads. Article content The wildfire that ripped through Slave Lake in May 2011 caused more than $700 million in damages, making it the second-costliest insured disaster in Canadian history to that point, surpassed only by the 1998 ice storm that hit Quebec and Ontario, which caused $1.8 billion in damages, the Insurance Bureau of Canada said at the time. Article content LAC LA BICHE — EXTREME DANGER Article content There were currently six active wildfires burning in the Lac La Biche forest area, where wildfire danger is classed as 'extreme.' Article content Since Jan. 1 there have been 69 wildfires in the Lac La Biche Forest Area burning a total of 530 hectares. Article content Article content LWF060 was being held and crews are working towards extinguishment near the junction of Highway 55 and 866, southeast of Grandeur Lake. Article content This wildfire was estimated at 47.9 hectares in size. Article content The remainder of the active wildfires were considered under control Friday, and there were no threats to communities or structures at the time. Article content Visit the wildfire status dashboard for additional information. Article content A mutual-aid wildfire refers to a wildfire that occurs outside of the Forest Protection Area, typically within a municipal district or county. When such a wildfire grows beyond the capacity of local municipal firefighting resources, Alberta Wildfire may be called upon to provide assistance. In these cases, Alberta Wildfire supports the lead agency — the local municipality or county — in managing and containing the fire.
Edmonton Journal
09-05-2025
- Climate
- Edmonton Journal
Province ranks wildfire risk across Alberta
Article content While hot, dry conditions mean northern Alberta is tinder for the wildfire taking, some pockets around Alberta ranked particularly high Friday on the scale established as the Canadian Fire Weather Index (FWI) System, a widely used tool that provides a numerical rating of the potential fire intensity in forested areas. The scale gives firefighters a better picture of how likely a forest fire is to start, spread, and how intense it could be.
