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Forest fire facts and questions

The number and distribution of forest fires and area burned varies annually across Canada.
Although fire statistics go back to the 1920s, Canadian statistics before 1970 are considered incomplete.
Provincial and territorial fire agencies are responsible for fire-suppression activities.
The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) provides operational fire-control services and links to all provincial and territorial fire agencies.
Fire occurrence and area burned is highly variable
- Area burned ranges from 0.7 million to 7.6 million ha/year.
- Average area burned is 2.5 million ha/year.
- Average fire occurrence is 8000 fires/year.
- Average suppression costs are $300 million to $500 million annually.

Lightning fires
- Represent 45% of all fires.
- Represent 81% of total area burned.
- Occur in remote locations and often in multiple clusters.
Human-caused fires
- Occur in more populated areas and are usually reported quickly.
Fire size
- 3% of fires are greater than 200 ha.
- Fires greater than 200 ha represent 97% of area burned.

Fire suppression is a provincial responsibility.
The level of protection varies across Canada and within provinces.
Key issues in the discussion of fire suppression and level of protection relate to the use natural fire versus the role of protecting the forest.

In the boreal forest, large fires dominate the area burned.
Large fires are a natural and essential part of the boreal forest ecosystem.
Large fires have played a major role in forming and maintaining the boreal forest.
Large fires have high fuel consumption and rates of fire spread.
Extremely high rates of sustained energy release are common.
Towering convection columns can reach into the upper troposphere or stratosphere.
Long-range smoke transport is an issue.