Social drivers of vulnerability to wildfire disasters: A review of the literature

Landscape and Urban Planning, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 237, P. 104797 - 104797

Published: May 18, 2023

The increase of wildfire disasters globally has highlighted the need to understand and mitigate human vulnerability wildfire. In response, there been a substantial uptick in efforts characterize quantify vulnerability. Such have largely focused on quantifying potential exposure frequently overlooked individual community Here, we review emergent literature social by synthesizing factors related exposure, sensitivity, adaptive capacity that contribute population's or community's overall wildfires. We identify how those subsequently affect an individual's agency enact change, highlight many current paradigms for reducing fail acknowledge address importance inequalities create differential suggest paying attention systems conditions give rise such can ameliorate these shortcomings centering solutions which adaptation equity rather than landscape outcomes.

Language: Английский

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Drivers and Impacts of the Record-Breaking 2023 Wildfire Season in Canada

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: Aug. 20, 2024

Abstract The 2023 wildfire season in Canada was unprecedented its scale and intensity, spanning from mid-April to late October across much of the forested regions Canada. Here, we summarize main causes impacts this exceptional season. record-breaking total area burned (~15 Mha) can be attributed several environmental factors that converged early season: snowmelt, multiannual drought conditions western Canada, rapid transition eastern Anthropogenic climate change enabled sustained extreme fire weather conditions, as mean May–October temperature over 2.2 °C warmer than 1991–2020 average. were profound with more 200 communities evacuated, millions exposed hazardous air quality smoke, unmatched demands on fire-fighting resources. not only set new records, but highlights increasing challenges posed by wildfires

Language: Английский

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Canada Under Fire – Drivers and Impacts of the Record-Breaking 2023 Wildfire Season

Authorea (Authorea), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 28, 2024

The 2023 wildfire season in Canada was unprecedented its scale and intensity. Spanning from late April to early November extending across much of the forested regions Canada, resulted a record-breaking total area burned approximately 15 million hectares, over seven times historic national annual average. impacts were profound with more than 200 communities evacuated (approximately 232,000 people), periods dense smoke that caused significant public health concerns, demands on fire-fighting resources. exceptional can be attributed several environmental factors converged enable extreme fire danger country. These included snowmelt, interannual drought conditions western rapid transition eastern Canada. Furthermore, mean May-October temperature staggering 2.2°C warmer normal (1991-2020), enabling sustained weather throughout season. led larger proportion very large fires (> 50,000 hectares), many having for months spring into fall. Fires started May or June accounted two-thirds burned. Overall, characterized by major societal impacts, setting new records highlighting increasing challenges posed wildfires

Language: Английский

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Community Risk and Resilience to Wildfires: Rethinking the Complex Human–Climate–Fire Relationship in High-Latitude Regions

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16(3), P. 957 - 957

Published: Jan. 23, 2024

Community risk and resilience to high-latitude wildfires has received limited conceptual attention, with a comprehensive, integrated framework that unpacks the complex human–fire–climate relationship in environments largely missing. In this paper, we use insights from both climate change adaptation disaster reduction literature build understand factors dynamics of at community level regions. Using an illustrative case study, demonstrates how unique social ecological features communities elevate their emphasizes need think holistically about different spatial–temporal interactions interdependencies between fire, humans, these We find remoteness, indigeneity, subsistence-based activities, colonial practices, along accelerated warming, are notable influencing This can help unravel nature wildfires, guide stakeholders through each phase process, facilitate development design wildfire-related policies strategies

Language: Английский

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Cultural Burning

Published: May 10, 2024

This Element addresses a burning question – how can archaeologists best identify and interpret cultural burning, the controlled use of fire by people to shape curate their physical social landscapes? describes what is presents current methods which it be identified in historical archaeological records, applying internationally relevant Australian landscapes. It clarifies transdisciplinary study Quaternary scientists, historians, Indigenous community members informing interpretations practices, ecological change, land making place. title also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

Language: Английский

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Density‐dependent responses of moose to hunting and landscape change

Ecological Solutions and Evidence, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 6(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Abstract In many areas of the boreal forests and temperate mountains Canada, resource extraction activities have created forage conditions that are favourable to growth moose ( Alces alces ) populations. turn, these increased populations buoy abundance wolves Canis lupus ), which then negative impacts on caribou Rangifer tarandus Consequently, been declining where extraction, moose, occur. To abate unsustainable predation pressure by wolves, hunting quota was expanded for 17 years reduce stabilize population in Revelstoke Valley, British Columbia, Canada. However, a reduction forestry activity paired with habitat protections slowed early seral favour moose. both hunter‐caused mortality loss may contributing observed declines occurred during this period. Within changing regulatory biophysical landscape, we sought address two research objectives. First, evaluated how increasing influenced total yield harvested animals. We expected density‐dependent responses would bolster number harvestable animals landscape. Second, tested different forest harvest scenarios might influence habitat, wolf densities, thus rates into future decades. used data from GPS collars (39 individuals), eight aerial surveys, hunter statistics, estimates carrying capacity thresholds, records. The latter series spanned 1961–2020 informed selection function calculations our first objective as well predictive modelling second objective. Between 2003 2020, found amounts declined 44.8%. There were 42% more under quotas than projected be simulated status quo quota. As stabilized, higher recruitment (e.g. calf:cow ratios) further contributed Our simulations indicated only harvesting scenario low enough 2040 cease entirely 2020. Practical implication: an mitigated effects caribou, aided recovery, struck balance also provided food security recreational opportunities harvesters.

Language: Английский

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History, engagement, and visibility of Indigenous Peoples in urban forest management plans from Canada and the United States

Environmental Science & Policy, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 166, P. 104026 - 104026

Published: March 3, 2025

Language: Английский

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Priority research directions for wildfire science: views from a historically fire-prone and an emerging fire-prone country

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 380(1924)

Published: April 1, 2025

Fire regimes are changing across the globe, with new wildfire behaviour phenomena and increasing impacts felt, especially in ecosystems without clear adaptations to wildfire. These trends pose significant challenges scientific community understanding communicating these changes their implications, particularly where we lack underlying evidence inform decision-making. Here, present a perspective on priority directions for science research—through lens of academic government scientists from historically wildfire-prone (USA) emerging (UK) country. Key topic areas outlined during series workshops 2023 were as follows: (A) predicting fire occurrence, impacts; (B) human ecosystem resilience fire; (C) atmospheric climate fire. Participants agreed focused research questions that seen gaps. was identified central connecting theme would allow critical advances be made all areas. findings provide one group perspectives feed into more transdisciplinary outline priorities diversity knowledge bases addressing under regimes. This article is part issue ‘Novel influences: impacts, responses feedbacks’.

Language: Английский

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Guiding principles for transdisciplinary and transformative fire research

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

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Transforming fire governance in British Columbia, Canada: an emerging vision for coexisting with fire

Regional Environmental Change, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 22(2)

Published: March 22, 2022

Abstract The dominant command and control fire governance paradigm is proven ineffective at coping with modern wildfire challenges. In response, jurisdictions globally are calling for transformative change that will facilitate coexisting future fires. Enacting requires attention to historical attributes may enable or constrain transformation, including diverse actors, objectives, worldviews of fire, decision-making processes power, legislation, drivers change. To identify potential pathways change, we systematically examined the history in British Columbia (BC), Canada (until 2020), a region has experienced seven catastrophic seasons twenty-first century. By reviewing 157 provincial documents interviewing 19 experts, delineated five distinct eras demonstrated central role government actors power shaping through time, superseding First Nations starting 1870s. emerging vision transformation proposed by interviewees focuses on need increased community yet legacies entrenched organizational silos between forestry continue transformation. Although progress overcome constraints been made, argue enabling BC require intervention leverage recent reconciliation Nations.

Language: Английский

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