Latest news with #FireSmart
CBC
28-07-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Is your property prepared for a wildfire?
Wildfire seasons are getting more intense so we asked a FireSmart expert how to protect your property, and what fixes can be done right now — without breaking the bank.
CBC
26-07-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Jasper bolsters fire resiliency standards after devastating 2024 wildfire
The Municipality of Jasper and Parks Canada are taking firmer measures to protect the park from wildfires, after a massive wildfire destroyed 30 per cent of the townsite in July 2024. The measures will ensure that homes are built with non-combustible roofs and siding instead of highly flammable material like cedar shingles, which had been a popular choice for the mountain town. The municipality adopted new urban design standards under its land use and planning department based on guidelines under the national FireSmart program. The program, developed in the early 2000s, outlines how people can make their properties more resilient to fire, such as removing debris and dry vegetation and building with non-flammable materials. Mathew Conte, Jasper's fire chief, said cedar shingles, pine needles and pine cones are prime fuel for ember showers that dropped hot embers and bits of fire over Jasper last summer. "Where we found we were severely impacted by that, were a lot of the homes that still had cedar shake roofs," Conte said during a news availability on Monday. "Crews spent most of their evening actioning those fires all night long," Conte recounted. "Unfortunately, by the time they put out one and moved on to the next one, that ember shower just reignited the structure in behind us." Conte said the fire also latched on to wooden decks and juniper bushes at properties that didn't implement FireSmart guidelines. The municipality and Parks Canada are encouraging people who still have cedar roofs to replace them with non-combustible materials, like tin and asphalt. Conte said the fire department has hired a captain of prevention to help educate residents about FireSmart guidelines, a program that's been around since the early 2000s. With the help of the new captain, the fire department has done 30 advanced home assessments in the past two months, he noted. "I think they're taking it a lot more seriously," Conte said. "We have a lot of residents that have actually reached out to us." Jasper has also purchased residential sprinkler kits, which people can buy at cost from the fire department. Zone of protection Parks Canada has expanded its risk reduction program that started more than two decades ago, said David Argument, the resource conservation manager for Jasper National Park. Crews cut down highly flammable evergreens like the lodgepole pine in sections of forest around the townsite to make it harder for fire to spread through high tree canopy, he said. So far, they've carved out 900 hectares of land to the north and west of the townsite. Thinning the forest makes it harder for fire to spread through a high canopy of trees, he said. On Pyramid Bench, a hill north of the townsite, Argument showed media a new 60-hectare block of land they cleared over the winter, "We're trying to produce a zone of fire protection or, or vegetation treatment all the way around the perimeter of the community." You can walk from the furthest southern end of town at Stone Mountain for about 2.5 km before you get to the end of the zone, Argument said. "We're knitting together a long-term plan that we believe will be able to maintain the long term," Argument said. "We can't just cut it and walk away. It has to be something we can maintain long term." It costs $15,000 a hectare to cut down and remove the wood. "So it is costly work to get this wood off the landscape," Argument said. Conte said last summer's hot and dry conditions were unprecedented, and they were taken by surprise how quickly the fire hit the town — 46 hours from the time the fire ignited in the south valley. "From the time that fire was about five kilometres out, it took about 30 minutes to reach the town. So very little time." "We've always planned and prepared for a forest fire. And I think any community that lives in a forested area, it's always a matter of when it'll happen, not if," Conte said.
CBC
09-07-2025
- General
- CBC
Municipality of Jasper adopts climate action plan nearly one year after wildfire
Social Sharing The Municipality of Jasper is embarking on a five-year plan to mitigate the impacts of climate hazards like wildfires, wildfire smoke, extreme heat, freezing rain, and receding glaciers. Council approved the Climate Adaptation Action Plan, after reviewing the report at a meeting Tuesday. It comes nearly a year after a wildfire ravaged forest in Jasper National Park before it entered the town, destroying about 350 residences. "This disaster caused severe disruption to Jasper's built, natural, social and economic systems, significantly impacting individuals and families, local businesses, the broader community, and the surrounding region," the report says. The climate action plan contains 28 steps to safeguard critical infrastructure, protect essential services and better prepare the community to deal with natural disasters. Mayor Richard Ireland said the municipality has been working on some of the measures for years, such as the FireSmart program to buildings. There's a sense of urgency now after last year's disaster. "We're aware of risk to our community, wildfire being one of them, and that risk continues despite the wildfires of summer of 2024." Administration says some measures are high priority, such as preventing wildfires, installing backup power systems for critical infrastructure, fire-proofing buildings, upgrading HVAC systems and adding clear-air shelters, shade structures and cooling spaces in public places like parks. Ireland said the municipality will work with Parks Canada to improve some infrastructure standards. "I know that our wastewater treatment plant now is sided in wood, that should probably change," he said. "We've already taken steps to encourage Parks Canada to change building requirements so we don't wind up with more combustible buildings." Coun. Scott Wilson said people are aware that things have to change. "Everybody feels it and on those hot, dry days, we really do start thinking about it." Wilson said wood had been the going concern for builders in previous decades, but as the town looks ahead to a hotter, more eventful climate future, reducing risk when building and landscaping is paramount. The plan includes an education campaign — spreading the word to advise people which municipal buildings they can go during a heat wave or heavy smoke. The climate action plan also stems from a risk assessment plan that was compiled before the wildfire. That report says Jasper is expected to get hotter in the coming years, alongside an increase in the number of extreme rainfall events, including freezing rain. Wildfire risk will continue to be significant, the report said. "Ideally, municipal staff, members of the Jasper Park Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Jasper, and other community organizations should work collaboratively to co-create a plan toward greater resilience that can realistically be implemented," the report said.
CTV News
08-07-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Four new forest fires reported in the region Monday
Ontario Forest Fires says there are now six forest fires in the northeast region after four new ones were discovered Monday. Ontario Forest Fires says there are now six forest fires in the northeast region after four new ones were discovered Monday. One of the fires is under control while the other five are being held, the group said in its daily update on the area's forest fire situation. 'The fire hazard is low across the central and southern section of the region and moderate to high with a few pockets of extreme values across the northern section of the northeast region,' the update said. The four new fires are: Haliburton 6, a 0.1-hectare fire located on a small island in Lingham Lake. This fire is being held. Cochrane 10, 32 hectares in size and located about 23 kilometres north of the Otter River in the far north. This fire is being observed. Cochrane 11, located 20 kilometres southeast of the Severn River, is 69 hectares in size and is being monitored. Cochrane 12, 109 hectares in size and located three kilometres north of the Dickey River. This fire is being observed. For a closer look at fire hazard conditions in your area, Ontario Forest Fires has an interactive map. Wildland fires can affect communities when they occur in or near neighbourhoods near forested areas. The FireSmart program offers tangible tips on how to mitigate the risk of wildland fires spreading to your home, cottage, or community. 'Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services would like to remind the public to use caution when performing any outdoor burning,' the update said. 'In order to dispose of yard waste and woody debris, we encourage you to use methods such as composting or using your local landfill. If you must burn, follow Ontario's Outdoor Burning Regulations.' To report a wildland fire located north of the French and Mattawa rivers, dial 310-FIRE. To report a wildland fire located south of the French or Mattawa Rivers, dial 911. For more information about the current wildland fire situation, click here.
Cision Canada
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Cision Canada
Strengthening southern Yukon communities against wildfire exposure Français
WHITEHORSE, YT, July 3, 2025 /CNW/ - Communities in southern Yukon will reduce their wildfire risk after a combined investment of more than $17 million from the federal and Yukon governments. The funding was announced by Dr. Brendan Hanley, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Member of Parliament for Yukon, on behalf of the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada, along with the Honourable Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, and the Honourable Nils Clarke, on behalf of Richard Mostyn, Minister of Community Services, for the Government of Yukon. Funding for the Government of Yukon's Wildland Fire Management branch will decrease fire risk in the communities of Whitehorse, Teslin, and Haines Junction—communities which are part of the northern boreal forest region and prone to aggressive wildfire behaviour. This region relies on Wildland Fire Management to protect life, critical infrastructure, and property from the impacts of wildfire while facilitating the creation of wildfire-resilient places to live. Funding will support different treatment phases, which include both retreatment and new fuel break construction. With new forest regrowth and new FireSmart standards, previous risk reduction efforts may become less effective over time. Retreatment includes increasing spacing between trees and removing live or dead vegetation that could allow fires to climb the landscape or trees from the forest floors. New treatment will include reducing or managing materials that are flammable or combustible in the wildland-urban interface. These measures follow national standards set out by FireSmart Canada and will increase the wildfire resilience of these three communities. Quotes "More than ever before, investing in resilient infrastructure is essential to help northern communities prepare for and respond to unpredictable natural events. Through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund, we are able to support projects that strengthen environmental stability and reduce wildfire risks in Whitehorse, Teslin, Haines Junction, and surrounding areas – safeguarding these communities for years to come." Dr. Brendan Hanley, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Member of Parliament for Yukon "Unfortunately, every year in the North, we see firsthand the devastating impact of wildfires. Proactive investments like the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund are critical to protecting our communities and public infrastructure while also keeping families safe." The Honourable Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations "Our Yukon communities continue seeing the impact climate change is having on the North. Although we can't predict where wildfire activity will happen, we can take measures to protect ourselves. Thank you to the Government of Canada for their investment of over $13 million for this proactive work and pleased to announce the Government of Yukon's support of these efforts with over $3 million." Richard Mostyn, Minister of Community Services Quick Facts Making adaptation investments now will have major economy-wide benefits later. Every dollar that is invested in adapting and preparing for climate-related disasters can return as much as $13 to $15 in benefits. The federal government is investing $13,842,900 in this project through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF), while the territorial government is investing $3,247,500. To date, over $2.9 billion has been announced for more than 117 infrastructure projects that help communities better prepare for, and withstand, the potential impacts of natural disasters, prevent infrastructure failures, and help keep Canadians safe. On November 24 th, 2022, the federal government released Canada's National Adaptation Strategy: Building Resilient Communities and a Strong Economy. It commits $1.6 billion in new federal funding to help address both immediate and future climate risks to Canadian communities. As part of the National Adaptation Strategy and Government of Canada Adaptation Action Plan, the federal government has launched the Climate Toolkit for Housing and Infrastructure (CTHI) initiative. The Climate Toolkit for Housing and Infrastructure will support the development of integrated climate-related tools, resources and services for communities through: A Climate Help Desk to provide direct support to address infrastructure and climate-related inquiries; A roster of Climate and Infrastructure Experts to provide access to expert advice to strengthen climate-related considerations of public infrastructure and housing projects; and Climate Tools and Resources that are widely available and accessible through the Platform. Federal funding is conditional on fulfilling all requirements related to consultation with Indigenous groups and environmental assessment obligations. Federal funding is conditional on the signing of the contribution agreement. Canada's National Adaptation Strategy Strengthened Climate Plan Climate Toolkit for Housing and Infrastructure Housing and Infrastructure Project Map Follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn Web: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada SOURCE Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
