Wildfire Detection Workshop

March 25/26

Cliff Henderson

FERIC

Forest Protection Division

Forest Protection Business Plan

Goal: Protect Alberta’s forests and forest communities by preventing and suppressing wildfires

Objectives:• Detection – Rapidly detect and

promptly report all wildfires occurring within the Forest Protection Area

Alberta’s Firefighting Priorities

1. Life2. Communities3. Watersheds/Soils4. Natural Resources5. Infrastructure

Ground Patrol

1%

Unplanned35%

Aircraft Patrol20%

Lookouts 44%

Detection Systems Used

Detection Performance Measures

1)Detect Wildfires at 0.1 Hectares or Less in Size

FPD Target = 85%

Results:

2002 = Lookouts 94%, Air 90%

2)Detect Reported Wildfires within 5 Minutes of Discovery

FPD Target = 90%

Results:

2002 = Lookouts 97%, Air 100%

Detection Systems Over the Years

Detection Systems Over the Years

Early Aircraft - 1922

On Patrol

The Rivers

AB Wildfire Detection StatsFixed Detection System131 Lookouts (oldest structure 52 yrs old)

108 Steel Towers (most 100 ft high)

23 Mountain Cabins

Tower Service

Original Towers

Mountain Towers

Cline Lookout

Torrens Lookout

Falls Lookout

Other Duties

Radio Communications Weather Stations

FutureDetection Very High Priority One of the key elements of FP

Program

An effective detection system is critical to meet FPD IA/suppression goals and objectives

High Elevation Detection