Forest fires have become a growing concern for Canadians. In fact, about 10 000 fires burn in Canada each year and the number is on the rise. How will climate change affect the number of fires or the danger zones in Canada in the future?

1. What top three current regions or provinces in Canada are at risk for serious forest fires?

a. _________________________________________________

b. _________________________________________________

c. _________________________________________________

2. Check the Atlas of Canada to confirm your responses and record the regions at risk for the most recent year.
[Steps: Explore Our Maps » Environment » Forest Fires » Forest Fires Hotspots, 2004 Map (select the current, or most recent, year)]

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

3. Why do you think these regions are at risk?
(Hint: the legend might help you answer one level of the question and climate controls the other)

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

4. Are any of the risk regions in heavily populated areas? If yes, what communities will a fire affect and approximately how many people will be involved?
[Steps: zoom in on an area with active or inactive fires to reveal the place names of the area and use the Get Info from Map tool to determine the population (click on the tool icon above the map and then click on the place name)]

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

5. In order to answer the next few questions:
[Steps: click on the Read more about this map link located in the small text box on the map or at the end of the abstract. At the bottom of this new page find the section, Read More About, and select the Forest Fires link. Finally click the Read more about Forest Fires link below the first paragraph] Take a few minutes to read through this information before proceeding.

a. Why are Canada’s forests important to the Canadian economy?

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

b. Describe the three different types of fires. Include fire temperature and speed in your description.

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

c. What tools are used to map fires in Canada?

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

d. Record two negative and two positive impacts resulting from forest fires.

[D]
Click for more information, 2 KB
Impact chart

e. What is Fire M3? Describe the purpose and the methods used for Fire M3.

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

6. Every type of map has its own characteristics. Evaluate the usefulness of this online map and make one recommendation to enhance it. Why is it important to use the right kind of map for the right purpose?

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

7. Spatially, describe the growth of forest fire sensitive areas in Canada’s future. [Steps: Explore Our Maps » Climate Change » Potential Impacts and compare the following three maps: Forest Fire Severity Level, 1980 to 1989 Map, Projected Forest Fire Severity Level, 2050 to 2059 Map and Projected Forest Fire Severity Level, 2090 to 2099 Map]

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

8. Look at your current geographical location and determine approximately when forest fires will become a critical issue for your region. Why is it important for decision makers to understand this threat?
[Steps: zoom in on your region on each of the maps, including the current year map you studied earlier in this lesson.]

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

9. How do you think this hazard will affect life in your area? List 2 social, 2 environmental and 2 economic considerations.

[D]
Click for more information, 2 KB
Hazard chart

10. What underlying factors of global climate change will affect the number of forest fires in Canada? We will take a look at three influencing factors in order to get a grasp on the bigger picture. In order to answer this question you will have to take a look at a number of different maps found in the Atlas.

a. [Steps: Explore Our Maps » Climate Change » Climate Warming » National Summer Temperature Scenario 2050 Map].
What does this map reveal about potential temperature change in Canada?

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

b. [Steps: Explore Our Maps » Climate Change » Climate Warming » National Summer Precipitation Scenario 2050 Map]
Describe the projected outlook of this map.

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

c. Now, put two and two together. With the information gathered from the two previous maps summarize one reason why forest fires are predicted to increase in Canada’s near future.

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

d. It is necessary to understand the trends in greenhouse gas emissions in order to make sense of the climate change predictions we just looked at.
[Steps: Explore Our Maps » Climate Change » Stress to the Atmosphere » Trends in Greenhouse Gas Emissions, 1998 to 2010 Map]
Describe the trend the map reveals. What does this mean for Canada’s forests?

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

11. Read the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) article found at: www.cbc.ca/news/indepth/fightingfires/consequences.html What does the following quote mean to our study of increased forest fire activity? Everything affects weather and its patterns, said Brian Stocks of the Canadian Forest Service.

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

12. What can be done to slow the trend? Give three potential solutions.

a. ________________________________________________

b. ________________________________________________

c. ________________________________________________