Wildfire mitigation strategies for increased wildfire resilience in wildland-urban interface communities

Abstract

Historic wildfire management strategies across the North American boreal forest have resulted in fire deficit forests. These landscapes are characterized by an unnatural build-up of wildland fuel, forest densification and irregular age class distributions that lend to increased risk of wildfire disturbance to Wildland-Urban Interface communities. Under current climate projections wildfire frequency, intensity and area burned are projected to increase resulting in increased disruption to social and economic activity. Analyzed in this report were a variety of wildfire mitigation strategies designed to reduce wildfire behaviour. Fuel reduction treatment efficacy and longevity were explored in the context of increasing community resilience to wildfire disturbance. A special focus was given to remote communities disproportionately affected by wildfire disturbance events. Current barriers to application were explored to highlight areas within the Canadian wildfire management system that require further amendment to achieve increased mitigation efficacy and widespread application.