Stanley Park Fire Preparedness Plan   April 1 to October 31, 2007     Submitted by   Bruce A. Blackwell B.A. Blackwell & Associates Ltd. 3087 Hoskins Rd. North Vancouver, BC Ph: 604-985-8769 Email: bablackwell@bablackwell.com GST No.: 132457983   Submitted to   Eric Meagher Stanley Park Maintenance Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation 2099 Beach Avenue, Vancouver, BC. Canada, V6G 1Z4       June, 2007

 

RPF PRINTED NAME		Registered Professional Foresters Signature and Seal
Bruce A. Blackwell	RPF 2073
DATE SIGNED
I certify that I have reviewed this document and I have determined that this work has been done to standards acceptable of a Registered Professional Forester.

Table of Contents

1      Introduction.. 3

2      Purpose of the Plan.. 3

3      Contact Information.. 4

4      Forest Fire Prevention.. 5

4.1        Fire Weather.. 5

4.2        Fire Danger rating and operational constraints. 6

4.3        Application of the Wildfire Act and Recommended Operating Procedures for Restoration Activities. 7

4.4        Best Practices for Fire Prevention as per the Wildfire Act and Regulation.. 7

4.5        Additional Best Practices for Fire Prevention.. 8

5      Detection.. 9

6      Special Precautions, Restrictions and Closure. 9

7      Use of Sprinklers in High Risk Areas.. 10

8      Suppression.. 13

9      Emergency Evacuation.. 15

10     Air Operations.. 15

11     Stakeholder Notification.. 15

Appendix I 16

Appendix II - Description of the Fire Environment of Stanley Park.. 19

Appendix II - Summary of Fuel Types in Stanley Park.. 23

Appendix III – Description of Fire Rank.. 32

List of Tables

Table 1. Emergency Phone List 4

Table 2. Stanley Park Supervisory Phone List 5

Table 3. Radio Frequencies. 5

Table 4. Fire Danger Class for Region 1 (Schedule 2 in the Wildfire Regulation) 6

Table 5. Operational Requirements based on Fire Danger Classes. 6

Table 6. Restrictions on High Risk Activities (Schedule 3 in the Wildfire Regulation) 8

Table 7. Patrol schedules for blowdown areas within Stanley Park Area. 9

Table 8. Summary of historic fire weather indices. 10

 

List of Figures

Figure 1. Fire patrol routes for Stanley Park. 11

Figure 2. Wildfire risk map showing combinations of probability and consequence. 12

Figure 3. Water sources and accessibility map for suppression purposes. 14

Figure 4. Seasonal variability (April-October) in the number of Danger Class III, IV and V-days within the study area as described by the regional climate of the CWHdm. 19

Figure 5. Summary of seasonal (April-October) high and low drought codes by year in the CWHdm within the District. 20

Figure 6. Summary of 70^th, 80^th and 90^th percentile fire weather indices across the CWHdm for the length of the weather records (1875-2004) 20

Figure 7. Summary of 70^th, 80^th and 90^th percentile fire weather indices for the Vancouver Airport weather station over the length of the weather record (1978-2004) 21

Figure 8. Summary of 70^th, 80^th and 90^th percentile fire weather indices for the Vancouver Airport weather station in 2003  22

Figure 9. Stanley Park fuel types. 23

Figure 10. Example of a high-density pole sapling western redcedar stand – classified as a C-2 fuel type. 24

Figure 11. Example of evenly stocked, moderate density second growth stand – classified as a C-3 fuel type. 25

Figure 12. Example of a moderate to high-density second growth stand of western hemlock and Douglas-fir classified as a C-4 fuel type. 26

Figure 13. Example of mature forest of Douglas fir, western hemlock and western red cedar – classified as a C-5 fuel type. 27

Figure 14. Example of a site dominated by red alder – classified as a D-1 fuel type. 28

Figure 15. Example of a mixed coniferous deciduous stand – classified as M-2. 29

Figure 16. Example of moderate slash loading resulting from blowdown - classified as S-2. 30

Figure 17. Example of heavy surface fuel loading > 15 kg/m² resulting from blowdown – classified as S-3. 31

1          Introduction

The Stanley Park forest is approximately 250 hectares in size and is visited by approximately 8 million people annually. In all, the park contains approximately 150,000 mature trees. The Stanley Park blowdown event on December 15, 2006 resulted in more than 10,000 trees falling and caused extensive damage to approximately 42 hectares of forest. Lighter damage occurred over an additional 38 hectares of forest. In order to deal with this and other infrastructure damage, the Park Board initiated the development of the “Stanley Park Restoration Plan”, which was completed and approved on April 16^th, 2007. The restoration plan included a series of recommendations that addressed a variety of issues including the need to reduce fire risk within the park. The large accumulations of surface fuel (biomass on the ground) within the blowdown areas have a much greater probability of ignition relative to recent pre-windstorm conditions due mostly to the large amounts of fine woody debris (< 12.5 cm in diameter). The amount of fine fuel and fire behaviour potential (rate of spread and fire intensity) has been increased to a level where a fire ignition could grow rapidly and be difficult to control under high and extreme fire danger.

 

The most probable fire event in the Park would be associated with an accidental or intentional ignition by a Park visitor. Smoking, illegal campfires and/or a car fire, for example, all have the potential to provide an ignition point for a significant fire event within the Park.

 

These concerns are specific to the 2007 fire season (April 1 to October 31) while the full load of blowdown remains in the Park. It is anticipated that planning, inventory and ground conditions (soil moisture) will preclude the removal of a significant portion of the biomass until sometime in the early summer. This means that accumulations in various areas of the park may remain during the fire season. A comprehensive plan is required to manage the expected risk if conditions of high and extreme fire danger occur. The following discussion attempts to address key wildfire risk management issues for the Park.

2          Purpose of the Plan

The objective of this Plan is to detail, for the City of Vancouver (including the Vancouver Park Board and Vancouver Fire Rescue), Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) and Ministry of Forests and Range (MOFR), personnel, procedures used and equipment available for prevention, detection and suppression of forest fires within Stanley Park. The Fire Preparedness Plan is in effect for the fire season, from April 1 to October 31 each year, or as otherwise determined by the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, and will be subject to annual or periodic updates to supersede the previous year's Plan. This Plan will also form part of the Emergency Preparedness Plan formulated by the City of Vancouver.

3          Contact Information

Table 1. Emergency Phone List

MEDICAL
Emergency		911
Provincial Ambulance		911
St. Paul’s Hospital		604-682-2344 (Main Switchboard)
Vancouver General Hospital		604-875-4111 (General Inquiries)
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Vancouver Police Department		911 (Emergency) OR 604-717-3321 (Non-emergency)
Vancouver Fire Rescue		911 (emergency) OR 604-665-6000 (General Inquiries)
West Vancouver Fire Rescue		911 (Emergency) OR 604-925-7370 (Non-emergency)
North Vancouver District Fire Rescue		911 (Emergency) OR 604-980-7575 (Office)
Poison Control Centre		1-800-567-8911 OR 604-682-5050 (Local)
Provincial Emergency Program		1-800-663-3456
BC Hydro		1-888-769-3766 OR *HYDRO (*49376)
Terasen Gas		1-800-663-9911
MINISTRY OF FORESTS AND RANGE
Ministry of Forests and Range	Fire Calls 24/7		250-951-4200
	Fire Control Non Emergency		259-951-4201
	If no answer call		1-800-663-5555 or *5555 from a cellular phone
Fraser Fire Zone	General		604-504-4707
Forest Protection Officer	Rick Kimmerly		604-504-4707
Haig Fire Base	Grant Preston		604-869-5835
GVRD	After Hours		604 432-6308
GVRD –Watershed Forester	604-341-1473		Pgr. 604-669-6500 #2226
GVRD – Fire Protection Officer	604-924-1267		Pgr. 604 473-0429
Weekdays 8:30-4:30 MOFR		Dan Morrison (2007 Fire Season Contractor)		250-468-7373
AIRCRAFT
Talon Helicopters		604-214-3585 (General)
Blackcomb Helicopters		1800 330-4354 604 938-1700
Highland Helicopters  (Richmond)		604.273.6161 (General)

 

Table 2. Stanley Park Supervisory Phone List

Name	Position	Office	Cellular	Home
Jim Lowden	Director of Special Projects	604-257-8487	604-817-4276	604-925-3886
Eric Meagher	Supervisor of Stanley Park Maintenance	604-257-8521	604-834-0155	604-435-4900
Brian Quinn	Foreman of Stanley Park Gardeners	604-257-8527	604-841-1564	604-538-8790
John Gray	Park Ranger	604-257-8491	604-834-7689	604-899-4116
Bill Stephen	Urban Forestry Technician	604-257-6910	604-861-1753
Joyce Courtney	Media Contact	604-257-8699	604-861-4375	604-985-8495
Vancouver 24 hour Emergency		604-606-2679

Table 3. Radio Frequencies

Organization	Transmit	Receive	Tone
Stanley Park Operations	151.355	151.355	No Tone
Park Lifeguards	408.5235	408.5235	No Tone
MOFR – Strategic Interagency Command/Coordination via Office of the Fire Commissioner	155.460	155.460	No Tone
MORF Tactical Fire Operations – Copper	164.910	164.910	No Tone
MORF Tactical Fire Operations – Silver	163.890	163.890	No Tone
GVRD	169.62	169.17	Rx 131.8 Tx 110.9

4          Forest Fire Prevention

4.1         Fire Weather

A fully equipped MOFR temporary weather station is maintained at the following location:

1)         Deadman’s Island (HMSC Discovery), East 491132, North 5460314

            Elev. 5 m a.s.l., B.C. MOFR

Readings are recorded daily at 1:00 p.m., P.D.S.T., from April 1 to October 31.

The Canadian Forest Fire Weather Index system is used to determine the fire hazard.

4.2         Fire Danger rating and operational constraints

The Canadian Forest Fire Weather Index System is used to determine an index classification which in turn governs operational activities, patrols, strategies, commencement of early shift and operational closure. The Buildup Index (B.U.I.) and the Fire Weather Index (F.W.I.) are combined to indicate the Fire Danger Class (D.G.R.) as follows.

 

Table 4. Fire Danger Class for Region 1 (Schedule 2 in the Wildfire Regulation)

 

The Wildfire Act outlines operational requirements related to different levels of fire danger. The application of operating requirements has been modified to better reflect wildfire probability and suppression capability within Stanley Park. These guidelines will apply during the fire season and determined by daily review of the current fire weather and related indices.

Table 5. Operational Requirements based on Fire Danger Classes

Fire Danger Class I	Very Low	Normal Operations.
Fire Danger Class II	Low	Normal Operations.
Fire Danger Class III	Moderate	After 3 consecutive days of DGR III, maintain a fire watcher after work for a minimum of one hour.
Fire Danger Class IV	High	After 3 consecutive days of DGR IV maintain a fire watch after work for 2 hours.
Fire Danger Class V	Extreme	Cease activity between 1 p.m. PDT (Pacific Daylight Saving Time) and sunset each day and maintain a fire watcher after work for a minimum of 2 hours. After consecutive days of DGR V (as determined by the Director of Stanley Park District), cease activity all day.

4.3         Application of the Wildfire Act and Recommended Operating Procedures for Restoration Activities

The Wildfire Act [SBC 2004] and the Wildfire Regulation (B.C. Reg. 38/2005) are intended to define the specific responsibilities of all users of forest lands and grasslands in terms of fire management on Crown land in British Columbia. In strict legal terms this legislation does not apply to the City of Vancouver and more specifically to Stanley Park. However, the Wildfire Act and Regulation contains specific fire prevention and fire control measures that are considered best practice. Although the City of Vancouver is not obliged to implement these measures under legislation, following the intent of the Act will reduce the risk of fire and ensure adequate prevention, detection and suppression measures are in place for the 2007 fire season.

4.4         Best Practices for Fire Prevention as per the Wildfire Act and Regulation

The following section is adapted from Part 2 of the Wildfire Regulation and has been altered from the original text.

 

 

Table 6. Restrictions on High Risk Activities (altered from Schedule 3 in the Wildfire Regulation)

 

The MOFR Protection Branch maintains a website for Danger Class Rating for the Coastal Area that reports up to nine days of Danger Class data:

http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/pscripts/protect/dgrcls/dgrcls.asp?Region=2

4.5         Additional Best Practices for Fire Prevention

The following operational conditions will apply to all industrial and high-risk activities in the Park during the fire season:

 

Early Shift is defined as industrial operations shutting down at 1 pm noon Pacific Standard Time. All industrial operations will shut down at 1 pm PST as required by the “restrictions on high risk activities” in the MOFR Wildfire Regulation (Table 6).

 

All industrial activities will be reviewed on the first day of extreme (DGR V). The fire weather readings are taken at 1200 hours (Standard Time). Once extreme fire danger is confirmed, all operations will be reviewed to assess whether they should be shut down. Shut down operations will remain in effect until a minimum of 5 mm of rain has been recorded, and there has been a reduction in Fire Danger Class.

 

Exemptions: Where a particular activity is unlikely to result in a significant danger of fire occurring or is required for restoration, the Director of Stanley District or a person authorized by him may exempt an industrial operation from all or part of the closure formula.

 

Patrols/Watchman: Stanley Park personnel or their assigned contractors will patrol all industrial operations as required by the closure formula outlined in Table 6.

 

Smoking: During the fire season smoking is only allowed in designated areas as directed by the site supervisor. During high and extreme there is to be no on site smoking.

 

Fire Tools: All contractors and equipment operators are responsible for the supply and maintenance of fire tools and equipment (shovels, axes, pulaskis, hand tank pumps and fire extinguishers). In addition, all vehicles and industrial equipment must be equipped with a full and functional 18-litre hand tank pump, shovel and pulaski or axe.

 

Industrial Operations Responsibilities: All contractors and equipment operators will take all necessary precautions to prevent and suppress fire arising directly or indirectly from their industrial activities. They are also responsible for the following fire preventative measures: machines must be clean and good repair; machines must be shut down while refueling; and, oil must not be drained or leaking on the ground under the machine.

5          Detection

Detection of fires is one of the most effective methods of limiting fire risk and catching small fires before they become large. Given the elevated risk of the blowdown areas it is recommended that once the Fire Danger Class reaches IV a comprehensive set of evening and nighttime patrols be implemented. Patrols will be focused on blowdown areas where the frequency of patrols will be determined by the: 1) fire danger; 2) likelihood of illegal camping; and, 3) the amount of public use. The frequency of daytime patrols will be more limited compared with nighttime patrols. Nighttime is considered the most probable time for a human ignition to go undetected. Patrols should be carried out by Park staff and their contractors, and the Vancouver Police Department. These patrols should be focused on removal of illegal campers, restricting nighttime use within and around blowdown areas, and detection of illegal fires. Figure 1 highlights the areas where patrols are required within the Park.

Table 7. Patrol schedules for blowdown areas within Stanley Park Area

6          Special Precautions, Restrictions and Closure

If Vancouver experiences an extended period of drought and fire danger becomes extreme, it may be necessary to take special precautions and/or close portions of the park. This may include other mitigation measures such as watering down debris accumulations in high use areas, installation of sprinklers and or other suppression measures as determined by the Director of Stanley District. While any closure would be considered undesirable, it may be necessary given the amount of fuel, the number of visitors, and protection of human safety and park infrastructure. Analysis of historic fire weather data is summarized in Table 8.

Table 8. Summary of historic fire weather indices

 

The average 90^th percentile drought code for the period 1875 to 2004 within the Coastal Western Hemlock dry maritime biogeoclimatic unit (CWHdm) was 372 while at Vancouver Airport it is slightly higher at 419. During the 2003 fire season the 90^th percentile drought code exceeded 600. Similarly the 90^th percentile buildup index averages 114 for CHWdm, 79 at Vancouver Airport during the period 1875 to 2004 and was 137 during the 2003 fire season. Based on these numbers, additional measures including special precautions and closures of trails and roads in the vicinity of the blowdown areas may be required during periods when the drought code exceeds 400 in combination with a buildup index over 100.  Coal barbequing and smoking in Stanley Park will be banned if the drought code exceeds 500.

7          Use of Sprinklers in High Risk Areas

If the fire danger rises to extreme levels during the 2007 fire season and the risk of fire becomes a major concern within blowdown areas, then an interim approach to avoid closures and/or use restrictions would be to water down areas of concern with a sprinkler system. Sprinklers could be deployed in high use areas and run during the night to wet down the perimeters of the specific areas of concern. Figure 2 shows areas deemed high risk based on an analysis of consequence and probability within Stanley Park. This map can be used to guide an assessment of areas to be protected by sprinkler kits. Sprinkler use is seen as an appropriate measure to limit the risk of ignition as the fire hazard increases during the season.

 

It is recommended that a threshold level of drought code (DC) of 600, a component of the Canadian Fire Danger Rating System, be used to establish specific area closures as determined by the Directory of Stanley Park District.

Figure 1. Fire patrol routes for Stanley Park.

 

Figure 2. Wildfire risk map showing combinations of probability and consequence

8          Suppression

During times of very low (DGR I) to moderate (DGR III) conditions the Park Board will have at its dispatch, wildland fire equipment maintained and operated by Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services and located at Fire Hall No. 8 at 895 Hamilton Street. This equipment will be used to respond to any fire within the park during periods of low to moderate hazard at any time of day. Assistance can be requested from the MOFR and may include the GVRD initial attack crew at the MOFR’s discretion.

 

During times of high and extreme fire danger (DGR IV and V) Vancouver Fire and Rescue will respond to any fire within the park during both daylight and night-time hours. The MOFR Coastal Fire Center will be notified immediately of any dispatch and will determine additional resource requirements based on current conditions. Where the assessed fire behaviour is greater than rank 3 (Appendix III), air tanker support should be requested immediately by Vancouver Fire and Rescue.

 

The Stanley Park maintenance crew (approximately 20 plus individuals) will be trained to an adjusted or modified S-100 standard prior to June 15. These resources will provide additional back up to Vancouver Fire Rescue, MOFR and GVRD crews during a fire event. Additionally, these crews will provide local and immediate fire response to any given ignition in the park prior to the arrival of Vancouver Fire. Given the elevated risk during the 2007 season all Parks Board vehicles normally working in Stanley Park will be equipped with a shovel, pulaski, and back pack fire pumps for initial attack of any identified fire starts. Standard protocol will be for crews to call 911 to immediately report any fire in the Park prior to any fire suppression activity.

 

Figure 3 provides the locations of water sources and access trails within the park.

 

Figure 3. Water sources and accessibility map for suppression purposes

9          Emergency Evacuation

Evacuations will be managed by emergency response incident command.

10     Air Operations

Harbour stakeholders have been notified by Transport Canada through a Notice to Airman.

11     Stakeholder Notification

The blowdown within the Park has created a significant fire hazard within Stanley Park that will persist during the 2007 fire season. If fire risk reaches predetermined thresholds this may require use restrictions and/or closure of some portions of the park as outlined above. Additionally, a fire in the park may require evacuation, access closures and control of the Park and local air space. All of these actions have the potential to negatively impact local businesses and stakeholders. The Park Board, as part of its ongoing communication and education program, needs to clearly articulate these issues to local and surrounding businesses and stakeholders to ensure they are prepared and have contingency plans in place. The burns bog fire of 2005, while not large, had a significant impact on local and regional areas. Smoke, fire operations, and public communications were all major challenges within the urban setting when compared with typical wildland fire operations. It is important that stakeholders recognize that the situation is considered higher risk than historic conditions and that exceptional measures may be required to manage the risk if the fire danger reaches extreme (DGR V).

 

 

Appendix I - Stanley Park Fire Preparedness: Communications and Media Plan

 

A.  Preparation and Planning:  Fire Risk and Safety

 

An inter-agency approach to public education and information around fire season in the urban forest will continue, to raise awareness of and improve understanding about fire risks and safety in Stanley Park.  Messaging will be coordinated and information shared among Vancouver Park Board, Vancouver Fire & Rescue, Vancouver Police and BC Forest Service communications staff. 

 

Target audiences are:  residents, tourists, park stakeholders/partners (such as tour operators, restaurant owners and businesses), elected officials, staff and media.

 

Key messages are: 

• fire prevention and safety is everyone’s responsibility
• respect signage and regulations around smoking, campfires and BBQs
• direct fire concerns and questions to park staff
• fire risks are heightened significantly after blow down event and a preparedness plan developed accordingly
• report all fires and suspected fires to 9-1-1

 

Communications tools will include:

• park signage – forest fire hazard rating signs installed in key locations during the summer fire season, with emergency contacts
• Park Board web site and news releases (copy to VFRS web site) – keep the public updated on changes in fire risks and prohibitions; to serve as central source of statistics and facts re hazards, preparedness, responsibilities, protocols, by-laws
• staff updates – keep employees (including parks staff and Rangers) briefed about fire preparedness and safety through crew talks at work sites, intranet and/or fire bulletins if and as required
• stakeholder/partner updates – keep restaurants, concessions and attractions briefed on fire preparedness and safety through stakeholders meeting and/or fire bulletins if and as required

 

 

B.  In the Event of a Fire Incident

 

A Site Information Officer will handle all media requests for information as it relates to Stanley Park activities.  All media requests will be documented in a Media Log.

 

Background Information may include:

-         updates to statistical information, such as the number and type of equipment deployed at a specific site

 

-         status and number of evacuation notifications

 

-         people and structures affected by evacuation notification in effect 

 

-         clarification of the role and responsibilities of various emergency response partners

 

Other Requests:

The following requests should be managed by the Information Officer in consultation with the Incident Commander:

 

-         requests for interviews

 

-         requests for information on operational strategies such as the deployment of                                              equipment

 

-         requests for information specific to VPB (Vancouver Park Board) activities beyond general background information

 

-         requests related to an issue that is receiving significant media attention

 

The primary spokespersons/media contacts, in order of precedence and ability are:

 

Captain Rob Jones-Cook VFRS Media Relations

Joyce Courtney – Park Board Communications

Tim Fanning/Howard Chow – VPD Media Relations

Sue Croft - BC Forest Services Communications

 

The VFRS will take the lead with media, directing inquiries to other agencies as required (eg Parks for operational and park information, Police for evacuation and street control etc.)

 

The site for media meeting place will be determined as the situation unfolds, and be dependant upon the emergency location and situation.

 

Preference will be given to local media followed by out of town media outlets.  Media will be permitted to tour site only after consultation between media spokespersons and the Incident Commander.  Local media will be here and dealing with the various agencies long after out of town media leaves.

 

A media pool may have to be organized by members of the media selecting who will be offered the opportunity to near emergency sites.  That information will be shared amongst all media representatives.  Media will not be permitted to move around without a media spokesperson accompanying them.

 

Evacuation Notifications

At some time it may be necessary to issue an evacuation of the park.  Evacuation notification will apply to VPB staff, park business staff and management, and park visitors and all others in the park with the exception of emergency staff.

 

Such notification will be coordinated through the VPD or their designates including

-         Park Rangers

-         telephone tree

-         or combination of above

Four stages of notification are:

 

-         Evacuation Alert – warning of imminent danger and advised to be ready to leave

-         Evacuation Order – leave immediately

-         Evacuation Rescinded – people may return

-         All Clear – advisory that the danger has passed.

 

 

 

 

prepared by

Rob Jones-Cook, Joyce Courtney

June 14, 2007

Appendix II - Description of the Fire Environment of Stanley Park

The Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System (CFFDRS), developed by the Canadian Forestry Service, is used to assess fire danger and potential fire behaviour. The MOFR maintains a network of fire weather stations during the fire season that is used to determine fire danger on forestlands within the Lower Mainland. During the fire season, lower mainland communities monitor fire weather information provided by the MOFR Protection Branch to determine hazard ratings and associated fire bans and closures within their municipalities.

 

It is important to understand the likelihood of exposure to periods of high fire danger, defined as Danger Class IV (high) and V (extreme), in order to determine appropriate prevention programs, levels of response, and management strategies. Fire danger within Stanley Park can vary from season to season. Stanley Park is defined by the regional climate of the Coastal Western Hemlock dry maritime (CWHdm) biogeoclimatic unit.

 

Figure 4 is a compilation of available weather station data within the CWHdm biogeoclimatic unit (representative of the study area) that dates back to 1875 and provides a summary of the total number of Danger Class III, IV and V-days from April through to October for each year. This compilation shows that, within any given year, the fire danger can fluctuate substantially. Typically, the most extreme fire weather occurs between the middle of July and the third week of August. When compared to other regional climates of the coast, such as the Coastal Western Hemlock very dry maritime biogeoclimatic unit (CWH xm1 - east coast of Vancouver Island) and Coastal Douglas Fir biogeoclimatic unit (CDF - Southern Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands), the Lower Mainland is not as dry.

 

Figure 4. Seasonal variability (April-October) in the number of Danger Class III, IV and V-days within the study area as described by the regional climate of the CWHdm.

A summary of historic drought codes (Figure 5) provides a similar comparison to danger class days and reinforces the point that the Lower Mainland experiences periods of summer drought (Figure 5). A drought code that exceeds 500 is considered high and is associated with extreme fire behaviour.

 

Figure 5. Summary of seasonal (April-October) high and low drought codes by year in the CWHdm within the District.

Figure 6, a summary of the Drought Code (DC), Build-up Index (BUI) and Fire Weather Index (FWI) for all weather stations within the CWHdm over the length of the weather record indicates that 90^th percentile DC, BUI and FWI were generally within Danger Class IV or V. On average, the number of Danger Class IV and V days within the CWHdm is 46 per year.

 

Figure 6. Summary of 70^th, 80^th and 90^th percentile fire weather indices across the CWHdm for the length of the weather records (1875-2004)

A summary of the Drought Code (DC), Build-up Index (BUI) and Fire Weather Index (FWI) for the Vancouver Airport weather station over the length of the weather record indicates that 90^th percentile DC, BUI and FWI were generally within Danger Class IV or V (Figure 7). On average, this station reported 21 Danger Class IV and V days per year.

 

Figure 7. Summary of 70^th, 80^th and 90^th percentile fire weather indices for the Vancouver Airport weather station over the length of the weather record (1978-2004)

 

A summary of the Drought Code (DC), Build-up Index (BUI) and Fire Weather Index (FWI) for the Vancouver Airport weather station in 2003 indicates that the 70^th, 80^th and 90^th percentile DC, BUI and FWI were generally within Danger Class IV or V (Figure 8). In 2003 there were 65 Danger Class IV and V days.

 

Figure 8. Summary of 70^th, 80^th and 90^th percentile fire weather indices for the Vancouver Airport weather station in 2003

 

The results of the weather data analysis show that, historically, there have been a number of years when fire danger in Stanley Park has been high or extreme for an extended period during the summer months. Complacency is an inappropriate response to fire risk. Management responses, in terms of fire prevention, mitigation and response, should be adjusted in accordance with the level of risk.

Appendix II - Summary of Fuel Types in Stanley Park

Fuel classification (Figure 9) was based on fuel types in the Field Guide to the Canadian Forest Fire Behavior Prediction (FBP) System. Fuel types were attributed and typed using orthophotographs and data collected during field work.

 

Figure 9. Stanley Park fuel types.

 

Summary of areas for fuel types in Stanley Park.

Fuel Type	C-4	C-2	C-3	S-2	S-3	0-1b	O-1a	C-5	M2	D1
Area (ha)	4.1	0.1	17.9	4.7	43.1	0.4	0.7	139.5	56.5	27.7	294.6
%	1.4	0.0	6.1	1.6	14.6	0.1	0.2	47.3	19.2	9.4	100

Fuel Type Descriptions

The following is a general description of the dominant fuel types within the study area

 

C-2 fuel type

Area of Fuel Type (ha)	0.1
Structure Classification	Pole sapling
Dominant Tree Species	Thuja plicata (western redcedar)
Tree Species Type	> 80% Coniferous
Understory Vegetation	Sparse – None (< 10% cover)
Age	20 – 40 yrs
Height	10 – 15 m
Stand Density	>2000  stems/ha
Crown Closure	80 – 100 %
Height to Live Crown	Average 1-2 m
Surface Fuel Loading	< 3 kg/m2
Burn Difficulty	Moderate to high; however, if fire is wind driven then there is a high potential for extreme fire behavior and active crown fire.

 

Figure 10. Example of a high-density pole sapling western redcedar stand – classified as a C-2 fuel type.

C-3 fuel type

Area of Fuel Type (ha)	17.9
Structure Classification	Late pole sapling to late young forest
Dominant Tree Species	Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas-fir), Tsuga heterophylla  (western hemlock), Thuja plicata (western redcedar)
Tree Species Type	> 80% Coniferous
Understory Vegetation	Low (< 50% cover)
Age	40 – 80 yrs
Height	20 – 35 m
Stand Density	700 – 1,200 stems/ha
Crown Closure	40 – 80 %
Height to Live Crown	Average 8 m
Surface Fuel Loading	< 5 kg/m2
Burn Difficulty	Moderate; however, if fire is wind driven then there is a high potential for extreme fire behavior and active crown fire.

 

Figure 11. Example of evenly stocked, moderate density second growth stand – classified as a C-3 fuel type.

C-4 fuel type

Area of Fuel Type (ha)	4.1
Structure Classification	Pole sapling
Dominant Tree Species	Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas-fir), Tsuga heterophylla  (western hemlock), Thuja plicata (western redcedar)
Tree Species Type	> 80% Coniferous
Understory Vegetation	Low (< 25% cover)
Age	20 – 40 yrs
Height	10 – 20 m
Stand Density	700 – 2000 stems/ha
Crown Closure	40 – 100 %
Height to Live Crown	2-4 m
Surface Fuel Loading	< 5 kg/m2
Burn Difficulty	Moderate to high; however, if fire is wind driven then there is a high potential for extreme fire behavior and active crown fire.

 

Figure 12. Example of a moderate to high-density second growth stand of western hemlock and Douglas-fir classified as a C-4 fuel type.

C-5 fuel type

Area of Fuel Type (ha)	139.5
Structure Classification	Mature and old forest
Dominant Tree Species	Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas-fir), Tsuga heterophylla  (western hemlock), Thuja plicata (western redcedar)
Tree Species Type	> 80% Coniferous
Understory Vegetation	Moderate (> 40% cover)
Average Age	> 80 yrs
Average Height	30 – 40 m
Stand Density	700 – 900 stems/ha
Crown Closure	40 – 80 %
Height to Live Crown	Average 18 m
Surface Fuel Loading	< 5 kg/m2
Burn Difficulty	Low; however, if fire is wind driven then there is a moderate potential for active crown fire.

 

Figure 13. Example of mature forest of Douglas fir, western hemlock and western red cedar – classified as a C-5 fuel type.

 

D-1 fuel type

Area of Fuel Type (ha)	27.7
Structure Classification	Pole sapling to mature forest
Dominant Tree Species	Acer macrophyllum (bigleaf maple), Populus trichocarpa (cottonwood), Alnus rubra (red alder)
Tree Species Type	> 80% Deciduous
Understory Vegetation	High (> 90% cover)
Average Age	> 20 yrs
Average Height	>10 m
Stand Density	600 – 2,000 stems/ha
Crown Closure	20 – 100 %
Height to Live Crown	< 10 m
Surface Fuel Loading	< 3 kg/m2
Burn Difficulty	Low

Figure 14. Example of a site dominated by red alder – classified as a D-1 fuel type.

M-2   fuel type

Area of Fuel Type (ha)	56.4
Structure Classification	Pole sapling, young forest, mature and old forest
Dominant Tree Species	Tsuga heterophylla  (western hemlock), Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas-fir), Thuja Plicata (western redcedar), Populus trichocarpa (cottonwood), Acer macrophyllum (bigleaf maple), Alnus rubra (red alder)
Tree Species Types	Coniferous 10-80% / Deciduous
Understory Vegetation	variable
Average Age	> 20 yrs
Average Height	> 10 m
Stand Density	400-1500 stems/ha
Crown Closure	40 – 100 %
Height to Live Crown	6 m
Surface Fuel Loading	< 5 kg/m2
Burn Difficulty	Moderate; however, if fire is wind driven then there is a high potential for extreme fire behaviour and active crown fire.

Figure 15. Example of a mixed coniferous deciduous stand – classified as M-2.

S-2  fuel type

Area of Fuel Type (ha)	4.7
Structure Classification	Moderate coastal cedar/hemlock/Douglas-fir slash
Understory Vegetation	variable
Surface Fuel Loading	10-15 kg/m2
Burn Difficulty	Moderate to high

 

Figure 16. Example of moderate slash loading resulting from blowdown - classified as S-2.

 

S-3  fuel type

Area of Fuel Type (ha)	43.1
Structure Classification	Heavy coastal cedar/hemlock/Douglas-fir slash
Understory Vegetation	variable
Surface Fuel Loading	> 15 kg/m2
Burn Difficulty	High

 

Figure 17. Example of heavy surface fuel loading > 15 kg/m² resulting from blowdown – classified as S-3.

 

O-1a  fuel type

Area of Fuel Type (ha)	0.7
Structure Classification	Matted grass
Understory Vegetation	variable
Surface Fuel Loading	< 5 kg/m2
Burn Difficulty	Moderate

O-1b  fuel type

Area of Fuel Type (ha)	0.4
Structure Classification	Flammable shrubs and standing tall grass
Understory Vegetation	variable
Surface Fuel Loading	< 5 kg/m2
Burn Difficulty	High

Appendix III – Description of Fire Rank

 

12     About B. A. Blackwell & Associates Ltd.

We are Canadian forestry consultants dedicated to providing high quality, cost-efficient professional forestry and environmental management services. We have diverse experience in a range of forest management disciplines and are at the forefront of Canadian forestry and forestry practice in BC.

We are based in North Vancouver and Williams Lake, BC. For more information about us please visit http://www.bablackwell.com.

12.1     Wildfires and Forest Fire Management

We have helped develop  BC forest fire threat analysis and its application within various regions. Our Wildfire Risk Management System has been applied by local and regional governments, BC Parks, forest companies in BC and Alberta, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in Alaska.