Building community resilience to wildfire risks in the Robson Valley, British Columbia, Canada DOI Open Access

James R. Whitehead

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

This thesis examines how rural communities are at risk to wildfire hazards through a case study of the Robson Valley, British Columbia, Canada. The research is guided by vulnerability approach, which conceptualizes as function community exposed and sensitive hazard its capacity adapt. Data were collected using semistructured interviews with policymakers, forest professionals emergency managers alongside meetings in three areas, participant observation, analysis secondary sources. findings show that while most Valley not directly from extreme hazards, they indirectly tertiary impacts, due single power transmission road transportation route, both highly hazards. centralization government services has led change ways wildfires suppressed, can be incongruent diverse land values attitudes about responding held longtime residents local First Nations. concludes recommendations for better engage fire prevention suppression including creation champion position improved legislation allowing participation operations.

Language: Английский

Abrupt, climate-induced increase in wildfires in British Columbia since the mid-2000s DOI Creative Commons
Marc‐André Parisien, Quinn E. Barber, Mathieu L. Bourbonnais

et al.

Communications Earth & Environment, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 4(1)

Published: Sept. 5, 2023

Abstract In the province of British Columbia, Canada, four most severe wildfire seasons last century occurred in past 7 years: 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2023. To investigate trends activity fire-conducive climate, we conducted an analysis mapped perimeters annual climate data for period 1919–2021. Results show that after a century-long decline, fire increased from 2005 onwards, coinciding with sharp reversal wetting trend 20th century. Even as precipitation levels remain high, moisture deficits have due to rapid warming evaporative demand. Bottom-up factors further influence activity, legacy wildfires, insect outbreaks, land-use practices continually regimes. The compound effects climate-induced changes altered fuels now force Columbians confront harsh reality more frequent years intense prolonged activity.

Language: Английский

Citations

56
Principles of fire ecology DOI Creative Commons
Leda N. Kobziar, J. Kevin Hiers, Claire M. Belcher

et al.

Fire Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 20(1)

Published: April 24, 2024

Abstract Fire ecology is a complex discipline that can only be understood by integrating biological, physical, and social sciences. The science of fire explores wildland fire’s mechanisms effects across all scales time space. However, the lack defined, organizing concepts in dilutes its collective impact on knowledge management decision-making makes vulnerable to misunderstanding misappropriation. has matured as deserves an enunciation unique emergent principles organization. Most scientific disciplines have established theories, laws, been tested, debated, adopted discipline’s practitioners. Such reflect consensus current knowledge, guide methodology interpretation, expose gaps coherent structured way. In this manuscript, we introduce five comprehensive define produced provide framework support continued development discipline.

Language: Английский

Citations

11
Guiding principles for transdisciplinary and transformative fire research DOI Creative Commons
Kelsey Copes‐Gerbitz, Ira J. Sutherland, Sarah Dickson‐Hoyle

et al.

Fire Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 20(1)

Published: Jan. 29, 2024

Abstract Background Managing landscape fire is a complex challenge because it simultaneously necessary for, and increasingly poses risk to, societies ecosystems worldwide. This underscores the need for transformative change in way live with manage fire. While researchers have potential to act as agents of change, practice, ability affect often constrained by siloed biased expertise, rigid decision-making institutions, vulnerable social-ecological systems where urgent rather than long-term solutions are prioritized. Addressing these challenges requires more holistic equitable approaches research that promote new models transdisciplinary thinking, collaboration, practice. Results To advance this challenge, we propose four principles conducting research: (1) embrace complexity, (2) diverse ways knowing fire, (3) foster learning, (4) practice problem-centered research. These emerged from our experience group early-career who embedded within motivated today’s British Columbia (BC), Canada. In forum piece, first describe then apply two case studies: BC, settler-colonial context experiencing increased size, severity, impacts wildfires, ECR discussion group, space collective learning transformation. doing so, present unique contribution builds on existing efforts develop frameworks demonstrates how application can transformation towards coexistence local global scales. Conclusions identify guiding Collectively, inclusive applied matches scope scale promotes coexisting

Language: Английский

Citations

8
Global Emissions Inventory from Open Biomass Burning (GEIOBB): utilizing Fengyun-3D global fire spot monitoring data DOI Creative Commons
Yang Liu, Jie Chen, Yusheng Shi

et al.

Earth system science data, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16(8), P. 3495 - 3515

Published: Aug. 2, 2024

Abstract. Open biomass burning (OBB) significantly affects regional and global air quality, the climate, human health. The of forests, shrublands, grasslands, peatlands, croplands influences OBB. A emissions inventory based on satellite fire detection enables an accurate estimation OBB emissions. In this study, we developed a high-resolution (1 km×1 km) daily emission using Chinese Fengyun-3D satellite's spot monitoring data, satellite-derived vegetation-index-derived spatiotemporally variable combustion efficiencies, land-type-based factors. average annual estimated for 2020–2022 were 2586.88 Tg C, 8841.45 CO2, 382.96 CO, 15.83 CH4, 18.42 NOx, 4.07 SO2, 18.68 particulate organic carbon (OC), 3.77 black (BC), 5.24 NH3, 15.85 NO2, 42.46 PM2.5 56.03 PM10. Specifically, taking as example, OBBs 72.71 (Boreal North America, BONA), 165.73 (Temperate TENA), 34.11 (Central CEAM), 42.93 (Northern Hemisphere South NHSA), 520.55 (Southern SHSA), 13.02 (Europe, EURO), 8.37 (Middle East, MIDE), 394.25 Africa, NHAF), 847.03 SHAF), 167.35 Asia, BOAS), 27.93 CEAS), 197.29 (Southeast SEAS), 13.20 (Equatorial Asia; EQAS), 82.38 (Australia New Zealand; AUST) C yr−1. Overall, savanna grassland contributed largest proportion total (1209.12 yr−1; 46.74 %), followed by woody savanna/shrubs (33.04 %) tropical forests (12.11 %). SHAF was found to produce most globally (847.04 yr−1), SHSA (525.56 NHAF (394.26 SEAS (197.30 yr−1). More specifically, predominant in (55.00 %, 465.86 (43.39 225.86 (76.14 300.21 while savanna/shrub fires dominant (51.48 101.57 Furthermore, exhibited significant seasonal variability, peaking September 2020 August 2021 2022, with 441.32 month−1, which is substantially higher than monthly 215.57 month−1. Our comprehensive provides valuable insights enhancing accuracy quality modeling, atmospheric transport, biogeochemical cycle studies. GEIOBB dataset can be downloaded at http://figshare.com (last access: 30 July 2024) following DOI: https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.24793623.v2 (Liu et al., 2023).

Language: Английский

Citations

7
Western Canada’s new wildfire reality needs a new approach to fire management DOI Creative Commons
Kira M. Hoffman, Amy Cardinal Christianson,

Robert W. Gray

et al.

Environmental Research Letters, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 17(6), P. 061001 - 061001

Published: May 25, 2022

Abstract

Language: Английский

Citations

21
Paleo-data is policy relevant: How do we better incorporate it in policy and decision making? DOI Creative Commons
Kathryn Allen, Chris Gouramanis, David J. Sauchyn

et al.

Global and Planetary Change, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 104707 - 104707

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Historical fire regimes in whitebark pine ecosystems of west‐central British Columbia DOI Creative Commons
Kira M. Hoffman, Alana J. Clason, Lori D. Daniels

et al.

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 16(3)

Published: March 1, 2025

Abstract Forest ecosystems across western North America are experiencing increasingly large and severe wildfire disturbances. From 2012 to 2024, approximately 600,000 ha of forest in Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, British Columbia's largest protected area, were impacted by wildfires. These wildfires burned primarily through lower elevation subboreal forests, but high‐severity fire also subalpine treeline the mountainous provincial park. Whitebark pine is a long‐lived endangered high‐elevation tree species extensive mortality throughout from an invasive pathogen recent large‐scale outbreaks mountain beetle. To understand impacts changing regimes on whitebark ecosystems, we reconstructed first history Park. Eleven study sites containing sampled along lakeshores, islands, knolls, ridgelines. Our record indicated two key findings. First, fire‐scarred trees provided evidence low‐severity at all 11 sites. dendrochronological covered 830 years (1190–2020) included 127 scars during 580‐year period (1377–1957), with composite mean interval 8 1580–1957 recorded area. Second, our results highlight centuries Indigenous stewardship that, combined lightning, comprised historical regime. Prior 20th century suppression policies, regime was characterized shorter intervals than contemporary period, effectively reducing available fuels, creating mosaic unburned forests landscape. research findings need for proactive dynamic management that supports multiple cultural ecological values areas.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Mixed evidence for disturbance‐mediated apparent competition for declining caribou in western British Columbia, Canada DOI Creative Commons
Katie Tjaden‐McClement,

Tazarve Gharajehdaghipour,

Carolyn R. Shores

et al.

Journal of Wildlife Management, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 19, 2025

Abstract Understanding causal mechanisms of decline for species at risk is critical effective conservation. Caribou ( Rangifer tarandus ) face threats from habitat loss and degradation due to human activities, many caribou populations across Canada have experienced dramatic declines in recent decades. Disturbance‐mediated apparent competition (DMAC) has been implicated these declines, but its generality questioned, particularly low‐productivity ranges. The DMAC hypothesis leads the following predictions: 1) a vegetation productivity pulse after disturbance, 2) primary ungulate prey attraction disturbed areas, 3) predator 4) increased predation overlapping use with predators. We tested predictions declining Itcha‐Ilgachuz population, located Chilcotin Plateau region west‐central British Columbia, Canada. used remotely sensed index examine recovery patterns disturbance camera traps Bayesian mixed effects negative binomial regression models estimate responses prey, predator, relative abundance landscape disturbances <40 years old, interacting species, other features. identified harvested burnt forest patches, overall was lower than ranges where occurs. Primary moose Alces alces mule deer Odocoileus hemionus ), showed strong positive areas weak forest. For predators, wolves Canis lupus black bears Ursus americanus grizzly arctos were positively associated while coyotes latrans lynx Lynx canadensis more strongly snowshoe hare Lepus wolverines Gulo gulo not any focal species. Wolves, bears, coyotes, responded burned areas. did reduced forests or burns, potentially increasing their overlap Overall, we found support stronger evidence pathway mediated by fire, rather harvest. recommend further research action on wildfire management this including monitoring population trends response management. Our results emphasize context‐dependency underscore need population‐specific knowledge effectively conserve threatened

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Governing Wildfire Risk in Canada: The Rise of an Apparatus of Security DOI
Adeniyi Asiyanbi, Conny Davidsen

Annals of the American Association of Geographers, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 113(5), P. 1207 - 1223

Published: March 15, 2023

This article argues that the governance of wildfire risk in Canada is increasingly oriented toward through a security apparatus. As climate change complicates "problems" fast-expanding wildland–urban interface areas, fire managers and other actors seek shift fire-permitting, risk-based management style, even as balance between private public responsibility for protection gets renegotiated. approach, typified by FireSmart, characterized gradual, geographically uneven from state-centered suppression multiplicity assembled around an expectation promise economic freedom. These multiple shifts, we argue, reflect characteristic approach to governing Foucauldian "apparatus security," mechanism power seeks freedom indirect governmental intervention. Central emerging apparatus are three core rationalizing discourses focused on valorization individual's capacity protection, negotiation limits state institutions management, invitation live resiliently with wildfires embracing biophysical contingency. At stake complex politics which very ideas risk, responsibility, being, can be, reconstituted. Our analysis furthers poststructural geographies beyond.

Language: Английский

Citations

9
A flexible framework for cost-effective fire management DOI Creative Commons
Hamish Clarke,

Brett Cirulis,

Nicolás Borchers Arriagada

et al.

Global Environmental Change, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 82, P. 102722 - 102722

Published: June 24, 2023

Fire management aims to change fire regimes. However, the challenge is provide optimal balance between mitigation of risks life and property, while ensuring a healthy environment protection other key values in any given landscape. Incorporating cost-effectiveness climate impacts magnifies this task. We present an objective framework for quantitative comparison risk potential alternative fuel treatment scenarios south-eastern Australia. There no single strategy all region, nor individual value regions. Trade-offs are required highly sensitive addition values. Climate likely decrease prescribed burning effectiveness increase total costs, therefore rethink best practice required. Our study highlights need flexibility development implementation strategies, which something that risk-based approaches can provide. discuss prospects extending our we currently lack robust information issues compatibility with Aboriginal cultural by implication do not stem from within prevailing paradigm.

Language: Английский

Citations

9