Firefighters in the Field: Exports to British Columbia
Hearing that BC was in a state of emergency from the amount of active fires was hard to swallow. The forest fires were getting worse and people were losing their homes. While Victoria (my current home for university) wasn’t in any danger, my friends and their families in surrounding cities were. Knowing that people were being evacuated […]
Firefighters in the Field: Export to Montana
The weight restriction per person was 65lbs. Will we be located in the mountains? Sleeping in tents? Will we have regular access to power? How many pairs of underwear and socks should I bring? Should I bring extra work boots and workout shoes? Do I have room for a pillow? What is essential when you […]
Firefighter in the Field
Eagle’s Nest is an old forestry base situated about 150 kilometres northwest of Fort McMurray. Though the cabins are well-weathered and the camp has been abandoned for quite some time, we occasionally stop for the day at this magnificent spot. Not only is it a good strategic location to respond to wildfires that pop up […]
How to Report a Wildfire
When it comes to fighting wildfires, timing is everything – the earlier we can get to a wildfire, the better. Prompt response can minimize losses and costs. To achieve this, the Wildfire Management Branch uses a variety of tools such as aerial detection, lookout observers, and lightning mapping systems to quickly detect wildfires. But we […]
Riding the Highs and Lows on the Lookout Tower
I’ll admit it. I’ve lost track of time. I can give you an up-to-the-minute weather report. I can tell you if it’s a burning day, or not. But, as I write this, I’m not sure if it’s Tuesday, or Wednesday. And I can’t tell you how long I’ve been out here. That may sound crazy, […]
Alberta Wildfire 