|
|
Mission Statement: "To Protect our forest resource, its recreational and
aesthetic value as well as public and private property from the ravaging effects of
uncontrolled forest fires while preserving the health and well-being of all those who
use and benefit from our forests."
The Director of Forest Engineering and Industry Services is responsible for the
Fire Suppression Program for the Forest Resources. Field delivery
is provided under the direction of the
Regional Ecosystem Director using infrastructure established in the regional and
district offices.
Over the years, the Department has improved its capability to suppress
wildfires in the Province. Changes in the way the Department handles wildfire
began in 1961 after a disastrous year. Following a very dry summer, extensive
areas of Eastern and Central Newfoundland were ravaged by fire. In contrast,
1981 was even dryer but in part due to the introduction of new technology such
as a Lightning Detection System, computerized decision support system, the use
of fire fighting foam, better training of fire staff, the purchase of six (6)
CL-215 Air Tankers and new systems and procedures such as aircraft alert codes,
the Province was able to limit forest fire losses to a minimum.
The Province took the lead role in forest fire management and suppression in
1975 and as a result significant purchases of new equipment, technology and
aircraft was made. A modern new Provincial Forest Fire Equipment and Maintenance
Facility was constructed at Gander. In 1996, a state-of-the art hose drying,
testing and repair facility was opened adjacent to the Forest Protection Centre.
The Forest Service operates six (6) CL-215 Air Tankers along
with a Cessna spotter. Four long ranger helicopters are on full time standby and
others are hired as needed. This equipment is used for initial attack along with
ground crews who are scattered throughout the Island and in Labrador in
twenty-six (26) depots. Fire co-ordination is handled by a Duty Officer for each
region who oversees the initial attacks and deploys equipment as
required.
Latest News
Facts and Figures - 2007 Forest Fire Season
 |
87 total fires were officially
recorded burning at total of 10,891.8 hectares. The
Eastern region recorded 43 fires, Western Region 12
and Labrador recorded 32. |
|
|
Of the 87 fire occurrences in
2007 54 were resident caused, 11 resulted from
lightning, 1 by forest industry, 1 by industrial
operations, 5 fires were incendiary, 9 were
recreation related, 2 were caused at garbage dumps
and 4 were miscellaneous known. |
|
|
Only 4.3 hectares of productive
forest land were burnt in 2007 while 10,887.5
hectares of non-productive forest were burnt. |
|
|
The official forest fire season
for the Island portion of the province commenced on
May 5th and ended on September 23rd while the season
for the Labrador portion commenced on May 19th and
ended on September 23rd. |
|
|
The average total fire
suppression for Newfoundland and Labrador is
approximately $6 million (including water bombers)
per year. |
|
|
There are approximately 100
forest fire suppression field staff employed by the
department throughout the various districts. |
|
|
As part of the province’s
forest fire suppression effort six fixed wing
aircraft were used along with four contract
helicopters. The fixed wing aircraft recorded 480
hours of bombing activity and dropped approximately
10.3 million litres of water and foam in 2007. |
|
|
As part of the MARS Agreement
in 2007 the province loaned Nova Scotia one CL215
from May 9th – 16th , two CL215’s to New Brunswick
from May 9th – 11th , two CL215’s to Ontario from
May 12th – 19 , and two CL215’s to Quebec from May
25th – 31st . One CL215 also supplied a quick strike
action in Quebec on June 14th. |
Related Sites
For Further Information Contact:
Forest Resources
Forest Engineering and Industry Services Division
P.O. Box 2006
Fortis Tower
Corner Brook, NL, Canada
A2H 6J8
Tel. (709) 637-2349
Fax. (709) 637-2403 |
|
