Keyword
wildfire
Shift in wind has potential to increase danger near Penticton, B.C. wildfire
August 21, 2020 The Canadian PressPENTICTON, B.C. – Firefighters in British Columbia’s southern Okanagan are bracing for a change in wind and weather that has the potential to drive a huge wildfire north toward the outskirts of Penticton. Calm winds over the last few days…
Opinion: Preparing for future risk? Look to what’s happened in the past
August 20, 2020 Robert Muir-Wood, RMSWhen evaluating unexpected catastrophe risks, our experiences can be sparse. Widening our knowledge by going back in time, by exploring the ‘near-misses’ and by expanding our geographic horizons is critical. Fortunately, big catastrophes are rare. This is good in that…
Hundreds evacuated, thousands on notice as wildfire flares in southern B.C.
August 19, 2020 The Canadian PressPENTICTON, B.C. – British Columbia’s unusually quiet wildfire season ended abruptly as a fire flared in the southern Okanagan, forcing hundreds from their homes. Smoke from the blaze, above Skaha Lake near Penticton, was first spotted Tuesday afternoon and by…
Forest fire continues to grow near town in northwestern Ontario
August 12, 2020 The Canadian PressRED LAKE, Ont. – Residents of Red Lake, Ont., continue to flee the community as a nearby wildfire continues to grow. A spokesman for provincial Ministry of the Solicitor General says aircraft are available to help with evacuations, and about…
Wildfire risk is elevated this year. Why the pandemic made it worse
August 7, 2020 by Adam MalikThe central and Pacific coast of British Columbia could see an increased risk of wildfires this year, a new report predicts. And COVID-19 restrictions could make the risk higher, Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty warned in its 2020 Wildfire Report,…
Who’s getting funding for new research in wildfire prediction, responses
July 31, 2020 THE CANADIAN PRESSKAMLOOPS, B.C. – A university located in the heart of one of British Columbia’s most volatile forest fire regions will lead new research in wildfire prediction, prevention and response. Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops was chosen for the research that…
How wildfire crews are avoiding COVID transmission
June 11, 2020 by Greg MeckbachChanging the way firefighters eat their meals in camps, having masks on hand, and social distancing are among the precautions the Saskatchewan government has taken to ensure it responds to disasters with the ongoing pandemic. “In Saskatchewan, we have already…
Dry conditions in Nova Scotia fuelling three large wildfires
May 27, 2020 THE CANADIAN PRESSHALIFAX – Provincial officials in Nova Scotia are warning about the potential for forest fires in dry, humid conditions as firefighters battle three significant wildfires across the province. The fires burning Tuesday follow a weekend blaze near Porters Lake east…
COVID 19 pandemic adds risk to wildfire season: B.C. forests minister
May 21, 2020 THE CANADIAN PRESSNEW HAZELTON, B.C. – The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the danger of British Columbia’s wildfire season and the province’s forests minister says public help is crucial to reduce fires. Doug Donaldson says wildfires caused by humans are preventable and divert…
Federal scientists predict high wildfire risk across Western Canada
May 6, 2020 Bob Weber - THE CANADIAN PRESSEDMONTON – A majority of forests in Canada face a higher-than-normal wildfire risk this summer, say federal scientists. The forecast map from Natural Resources Canada suggests every region west of central Quebec will face an above-average hazard. “We’re starting to…
The hard part of managing wildfire risk
February 26, 2020 by Greg MeckbachYour clients may be doing all the right things to manage their wildfire risk, but what about the property halfway down the street? “You can have four homes in a row that are perfectly maintained, just the way they are…
Is climate change driving up the risk of wildfires in Canada?
January 8, 2020 Mia Rabson - THE CANADIAN PRESSOTTAWA – Canadian wildfire experts say Canada is very vulnerable to the kind of devastating wildfires ravaging Australia right now. More than 12.5 million acres (about 5.1 million hectares) of bushland have burned in Australia since October and prime forest-fire…