Effects of climate change key in increased wildfire risk: expert
Posted May 5, 2016 6:19 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Now that a major wildfire has forced everyone from their homes in and around Fort McMurray climate experts warn things will only get worse.
“Yes, we believe it will,” says Dr. John Innes, the Dean of UBC’s Faculty of Forestry. “We have been modelling the impacts of climate change on fire. What we are expecting is a longer fire season and that’s exactly what we’re seeing this year. We’ve also predicted the fires will be more intense, which is also what seems to be happening.”
Innes adds there’s no doubt we’re feeling the effects of climate change and that’s only contributing the increased fire risk.
“Summers seem to be getting quite a lot dryer now. It’s difficult to identify a particular trend in any given year. But what we’re seeing is year after year, we’re having temperature records broken, we’re seeing more and more drought and it looks like the fires are just going to get worse.”
He says the best way to guard against the raging infernos is to make sure areas are clear of natural fuel sources, meaning dry brush and branches and anything else that is easily consumed by the flames and helps the fire grow and spread.
“There needs to be a lot of work done to try and reduce fuel loads, particularly in sensitive areas like on the margins of municipalities,” says Innes, adding that in most cases, by the time crews get around to clearing those fuel loads, it’s already too late.
Rogers is giving free long distance/texting to Fort McMurray until May 17 and we are partnering with the Red Cross. If you would like to donate $10, text the word FIRES to 45678.
