Canada wildfires force evacuation of 30,000 in scorched Alberta - CBS News
As Canada’s wildfire season begins, firefighters hope for favorable weather, but some provinces are turning to nighttime firefighting as a new strategy. While common in countries like Australia and the United States, this practice is still rare in Canada due to logistical challenges.
The BC Wildfire Service acknowledges that "overnight fire spread events" are increasing in North America and uses night operations when necessary. Alberta, in partnership with B.C.-based Talon Helicopters, is also adopting nighttime firefighting. Alberta Wildfire spokesperson Melissa Story stated that new strategies, including earlier preparedness and additional aircraft, allow for overnight operations when fire behavior is generally milder. These operations involve night-vision-equipped helicopters.
Jarrett Lunn, chief pilot at Talon Helicopters, noted the advantages of nighttime firefighting, such as lower temperatures, higher humidity, and calmer winds. He emphasized that immediate nighttime response to fires, especially those caused by lightning, can prevent significant overnight spread.
Despite its benefits, nighttime firefighting remains uncommon in Canada. Lunn explained that while hundreds of helicopters might fight fires during the day, only a few operate at night due to the challenges of flying in the dark and the extensive modifications required for night-vision compatibility. These modifications are costly, time-consuming, and require government approval.
Nighttime operations also necessitate additional infrastructure, including aircraft dispatchers, flight-following services, and fuel availability at smaller airports. The BC Wildfire Service emphasized that pilot safety is a primary concern, deploying nighttime operations only when it is safe and essential to meet specific fire-response objectives.
The federal government is also exploring the use of drones for nighttime firefighting. Emergency Preparedness Minister Harjit Sajjan mentioned a company researching drone technology for this purpose, which could potentially revolutionize wildfire response.
This year’s wildfire season started early in Canada, following the warmest winter on record. Firefighters in B.C. and Alberta have been battling multiple wildfires, including the Parker Lake wildfire near Fort Nelson, B.C., which has destroyed four homes and affected ten other properties. In northeastern Alberta, a wildfire near Fort McMurray has been downgraded to "being held" after not growing on Sunday, covering 19,451 hectares.
The efforts to incorporate nighttime firefighting and innovative technologies like drones indicate a proactive approach to managing wildfires amid increasingly challenging conditions.
