Wildland fires pose a significant risk to communities in Canada. On average, there are 7,700 fires annually burning 3.2 million hectares of land. Though only 3% of fires, large fires cause 97% of the area burned and 80% of suppression costs. Climate change is expected to increase fire activity through a longer fire season and more severe conditions. As populations grow in risky wildland-urban interface areas, fires will threaten more lives and property. A joint risk management approach is needed to address the complex challenges of wildland fire management among stakeholders.

1. Wildland Fire in Canada: Communities at Risk Presented to Global Disaster Information Network Washington DC, March 25-28, 2004 Natural Resources Canada Ressources naturelles Canada Canadian Forest Service Service canadien des for ê ts

4. Forest Fires - 2003 Natural Resources Canada Ressources naturelles Canada Canadian Forest Service Service canadien des for ê ts

5. Forest Fires - 2003 Natural Resources Canada Ressources naturelles Canada Canadian Forest Service Service canadien des for ê ts

6. Forest Fires by Province - 2003 Natural Resources Canada Ressources naturelles Canada Canadian Forest Service Service canadien des for ê ts

7. Large Forest Fires - 2003 Natural Resources Canada Ressources naturelles Canada Canadian Forest Service Service canadien des for ê ts

8. Mountain Pine Beetle Setting the Stage Natural Resources Canada Ressources naturelles Canada Canadian Forest Service Service canadien des for ê ts

9. Setting the Stage Natural Resources Canada Ressources naturelles Canada Canadian Forest Service Service canadien des for ê ts

10. BC & Alberta – Aug. 21, 2003 Natural Resources Canada Ressources naturelles Canada Canadian Forest Service Service canadien des for ê ts

11. Kewlona, British Columbia Natural Resources Canada Ressources naturelles Canada Canadian Forest Service Service canadien des for ê ts

12. Kewlona, BC Sept. 3, 2003 Natural Resources Canada Ressources naturelles Canada Canadian Forest Service Service canadien des for ê ts

17. Socioeconomic Trends Population growth in wildland-urban interface (more lives and property will be at risk) Increased smoke impact on health ( smoke will become a greater problem in large urban centers) Greater costs / losses (suppression, evacuation, compensation, rehabilitation) Natural Resources Canada Ressources naturelles Canada Canadian Forest Service Service canadien des for ê ts

18. The Need Develop innovative processes and relationships among all stakeholders based on joint risk management Analyse the complex interactions between wildland fire, communities, the forestry sector, and government. Natural Resources Canada Ressources naturelles Canada Canadian Forest Service Service canadien des for ê ts

21. In Conclusion…. A joint risk management approach would address the growing complexity and uncertainty of forest fire management. Natural Resources Canada Ressources naturelles Canada Canadian Forest Service Service canadien des for ê ts