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Here's how wildfires are starting: experts answer your questions
Wildfires have dominated conversations across Canada for the past few weeks.
Not only have fires burned thousands of forests and land but the smoke has created pollution across the country — and in the U.S. — forcing people to stay inside.
The fires have prompted evacuations and left behind life-altering destruction in some communities, and it is only June.
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Due to the rapid growth of some fires and the need to react quickly, it has left some people wondering: how did we get here?
There are currently more than 440 fires burning in Canada as of Thursday , some of which officials say were started naturally while others are still under investigation.
Of the 5.4 million hectares burned so far this season , there are questions about what Canadians can do to prevent this year from being the worst fire season on record.
CTVNews.ca asked what questions you had about the wildfires. Topics ranged from how wildfires start to wanting to understand the process of investigating fires, and what happened to a beloved fire safety mascot.
HOW DO WILDFIRES START?
The origins of wildfires can be difficult to understand but one thing is certain: climate change is a factor.
The warming of the planet is not only contributing to drier and hotter weather but some research shows it can increase lightning strikes , Michael Flannigan, professor of wildland fire at Thompson Rivers University in British Columbia, said.
"The research suggests we will see more lightning in a warmer world . We don't have enough really good data to say for sure that's happening in Canada yet, but there are places in the world like Russia where the data is suggesting that is happening," Flannigan told CTVNews.ca in a phone interview Wednesday.
Lightning is caused when warm air rises in the water cycle and liquid particles "bump into" ice particles, creating an electrical charge, Flannigan said.
Climate change is increasing the temperature of the Earth, which in turn raises warm air that then mixes with cool air, creating an "unstable" atmosphere, he said.
"Most of these (particles) are negatively charged, but some especially from the top of the thunderstorm — what we call the anvil — are positively charged," he said. "And these are interesting because they often travel horizontally and then down to the Earth."
Lightning typically hits tall things, whether it be a tree or a home. If it hits a tree in northern B.C., it will travel down to the ground, sometimes leaving the tree intact.
Fire investigator Jeff Henricks documenting a scene. (Contributed)
"The lightning goes down, and it smoulders and catches fire," Flannigan said. "If it's rainy or damp, it just smoulders for a while. If it's hot, dry and windy, it can start spreading."
What can sometimes happen in the vast Canadian landscape is the ground could smoulder for weeks going unnoticed, until it's a substantial blaze.
Lightning rods used on homes can direct lightning away from forests but Flannigan says adding one to each building in the country would likely be too costly.
As of right now, Flannigan says lightning strikes cause about 50 per cent of all wildfires, while human behaviour is responsible for the other half, but the odds are likely to shift.
"There are research papers out there suggesting that we'll see a doubling of lightning-caused fires in the future," he said. "We're seeing it already this year… perhaps this is a signal that the future is here a bit early."
WHO CAN BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR WILDFIRES?
According to Flannigan, key ways humans can start fires include ATVs (when the hot muffler connects with dry grass), railways, power lines and campfires.
To understand the origins of a wildfire, investigators are called in to trace the evidence left behind by flames, also referred to as "fire pattern indicators" or flame "scars," to determine how and where a fire started.
"Obtaining as much information on the scene is very important to determining the origin of a wildfire," Jeff Henricks, a former Alberta wildfire investigator now consultant, told CTVNews.ca in a phone interview on Thursday. "We will seek to obtain early photos of the fire, interview first responders or witnesses, and document what they saw."
Henricks says this process can take several days depending on the size and complexity of a fire.
He often leaves a fire scene with his protective equipment completely covered in soot and ash, he says.
"Once we have determined an origin, we can then seek out the cause of the wildfire, and again, this can take considerable time as well," Henricks said. "(For) example, if we found evidence in our ignition area of a metallic-like substance, we may need to submit that to a lab for analysis."
If the investigation determines a person caused the wildfire, more research is needed to figure out who that person is. Henricks says each jurisdiction in Canada has different fines for starting a wildfire.
In Alberta, a person could face a $100,000 penalty or prison for two years , whereas Saskatchewan has a fine of up to $500,000, three years prison or both.
The entire process from investigating the cause of a fire to charging a person can take several years.
"Few wildfires are malicious in nature and many are a result of unfortunate circumstances," he said.
WHAT MEASURES ARE GOVERNMENTS TAKING TO ADDRESS WILDFIRES?
Mitigating wildfire destruction on communities is something all governments across Canada are working on, efforts that are aided and overseen by Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair.
"Although the primary response to these types of events rests with the provinces and territories, we are in continued contact with partners across Canada, (and) maintain a whole-of-government approach to supporting communities affected by wildfires," Blair's office told CTVNews.ca in an email.
According to the department, the federal government has provided funds for displaced Canadians, worked with international partners and created a fund to hire more firefighters in communities.
A spokesperson from the province of B.C. told CTVNews.ca in an email that the government has invested "significant" resources into the B.C. Wildfire Service and addressing climate change.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau listens to Col. Marie-Christine Harvey explain the military operations battling wildfires, Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at CFB Bagotville in Saguenay, Que. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot)
"Changes for the 2023 season include improvements for identification and suppression of wildfires, deployment of resources, and strengthened partner relations," the email reads.
CTVNews.ca did not receive responses from Yukon, Northwest Territories, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia or New Brunswick.
Saskatchewan's Public Safety Agency (SPSA) has created ties with rural communities, Indigenous leaders and municipalities to improve the emergency preparedness for wildfires, a spokesperson said.
"These plans assess risks, identify hazards and vulnerable areas/populations, prioritize efforts to address these risks and help with wildfire suppression efforts … workshops and training on topics such as emergency management, emergency plan development and emergency operations centres," a spokesperson from SPSA told CTVNews.ca in an email.
A spokesperson for Alberta's wildfire management branch said education programs and public engagement sessions are "key" to preventing wildfires.
"One of the most effective prevention programs Alberta Wildfire administers is FireSmart, an actionable framework designed to mitigate the risk and impact of large uncontrollable wildfires near homes, communities, and critical infrastructure," the spokesperson said.
WHAT HAPPENED TO SMOKEY BEAR?
FireSmart is Canada's equivalent to the U.S. Forest Service — better known as the organization that created Smokey Bear.
Smokey is a mascot from the '50s with a message of fire prevention and safety that was soon adopted in Canada. But FireSmart Canada program manager Magda Zachara says Canadians have their own wildfire icon.
"Ember the Fox is a FireSmart Canada mascot, Smokey the Bear is not and never was," she told CTVNews.ca in a phone interview on Wednesday.
The two mascots also have different messages, Zachara said.
"Smokey the Bear is very much tied entirely to prevent a wildfire," she said. "And we as FireSmart are really focused on the mitigation and risk reduction message."
Some provinces still use the mascot to this day but as FireSmart Canada's presence grew so did Ember's recognition.
"If you travel around the country you will still see Smokey being used in certain provinces, or other mascots. In fact, Alberta has their own mascot and Quebec has a totally different mascot," Zachara said. "So there are numerous other mascots out there as far as wildfires (campaigns) are concerned."
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Here's how wildfires are starting: experts answer your questions
Wildfires have dominated conversations across Canada for the past few weeks.
Not only have fires burned thousands of forests and land but the smoke has created pollution across the country — and in the U.S. — forcing people to stay inside.
The fires have prompted evacuations and left behind life-altering destruction in some communities, and it is only June.
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Due to the rapid growth of some fires and the need to react quickly, it has left some people wondering: how did we get here?
There are currently more than 440 fires burning in Canada as of Thursday , some of which officials say were started naturally while others are still under investigation.
Of the 5.4 million hectares burned so far this season , there are questions about what Canadians can do to prevent this year from being the worst fire season on record.
CTVNews.ca asked what questions you had about the wildfires. Topics ranged from how wildfires start to wanting to understand the process of investigating fires, and what happened to a beloved fire safety mascot.
HOW DO WILDFIRES START?
The origins of wildfires can be difficult to understand but one thing is certain: climate change is a factor.
The warming of the planet is not only contributing to drier and hotter weather but some research shows it can increase lightning strikes , Michael Flannigan, professor of wildland fire at Thompson Rivers University in British Columbia, said.
"The research suggests we will see more lightning in a warmer world . We don't have enough really good data to say for sure that's happening in Canada yet, but there are places in the world like Russia where the data is suggesting that is happening," Flannigan told CTVNews.ca in a phone interview Wednesday.
Lightning is caused when warm air rises in the water cycle and liquid particles "bump into" ice particles, creating an electrical charge, Flannigan said.
Climate change is increasing the temperature of the Earth, which in turn raises warm air that then mixes with cool air, creating an "unstable" atmosphere, he said.
"Most of these (particles) are negatively charged, but some especially from the top of the thunderstorm — what we call the anvil — are positively charged," he said. "And these are interesting because they often travel horizontally and then down to the Earth."
Lightning typically hits tall things, whether it be a tree or a home. If it hits a tree in northern B.C., it will travel down to the ground, sometimes leaving the tree intact.
Fire investigator Jeff Henricks documenting a scene. (Contributed)
"The lightning goes down, and it smoulders and catches fire," Flannigan said. "If it's rainy or damp, it just smoulders for a while. If it's hot, dry and windy, it can start spreading."
What can sometimes happen in the vast Canadian landscape is the ground could smoulder for weeks going unnoticed, until it's a substantial blaze.
Lightning rods used on homes can direct lightning away from forests but Flannigan says adding one to each building in the country would likely be too costly.
As of right now, Flannigan says lightning strikes cause about 50 per cent of all wildfires, while human behaviour is responsible for the other half, but the odds are likely to shift.
"There are research papers out there suggesting that we'll see a doubling of lightning-caused fires in the future," he said. "We're seeing it already this year… perhaps this is a signal that the future is here a bit early."
WHO CAN BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR WILDFIRES?
According to Flannigan, key ways humans can start fires include ATVs (when the hot muffler connects with dry grass), railways, power lines and campfires.
To understand the origins of a wildfire, investigators are called in to trace the evidence left behind by flames, also referred to as "fire pattern indicators" or flame "scars," to determine how and where a fire started.
"Obtaining as much information on the scene is very important to determining the origin of a wildfire," Jeff Henricks, a former Alberta wildfire investigator now consultant, told CTVNews.ca in a phone interview on Thursday. "We will seek to obtain early photos of the fire, interview first responders or witnesses, and document what they saw."
Henricks says this process can take several days depending on the size and complexity of a fire.
He often leaves a fire scene with his protective equipment completely covered in soot and ash, he says.
"Once we have determined an origin, we can then seek out the cause of the wildfire, and again, this can take considerable time as well," Henricks said. "(For) example, if we found evidence in our ignition area of a metallic-like substance, we may need to submit that to a lab for analysis."
If the investigation determines a person caused the wildfire, more research is needed to figure out who that person is. Henricks says each jurisdiction in Canada has different fines for starting a wildfire.
In Alberta, a person could face a $100,000 penalty or prison for two years , whereas Saskatchewan has a fine of up to $500,000, three years prison or both.
The entire process from investigating the cause of a fire to charging a person can take several years.
"Few wildfires are malicious in nature and many are a result of unfortunate circumstances," he said.
WHAT MEASURES ARE GOVERNMENTS TAKING TO ADDRESS WILDFIRES?
Mitigating wildfire destruction on communities is something all governments across Canada are working on, efforts that are aided and overseen by Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair.
"Although the primary response to these types of events rests with the provinces and territories, we are in continued contact with partners across Canada, (and) maintain a whole-of-government approach to supporting communities affected by wildfires," Blair's office told CTVNews.ca in an email.
According to the department, the federal government has provided funds for displaced Canadians, worked with international partners and created a fund to hire more firefighters in communities.
A spokesperson from the province of B.C. told CTVNews.ca in an email that the government has invested "significant" resources into the B.C. Wildfire Service and addressing climate change.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau listens to Col. Marie-Christine Harvey explain the military operations battling wildfires, Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at CFB Bagotville in Saguenay, Que. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot)
"Changes for the 2023 season include improvements for identification and suppression of wildfires, deployment of resources, and strengthened partner relations," the email reads.
CTVNews.ca did not receive responses from Yukon, Northwest Territories, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia or New Brunswick.
Saskatchewan's Public Safety Agency (SPSA) has created ties with rural communities, Indigenous leaders and municipalities to improve the emergency preparedness for wildfires, a spokesperson said.
"These plans assess risks, identify hazards and vulnerable areas/populations, prioritize efforts to address these risks and help with wildfire suppression efforts … workshops and training on topics such as emergency management, emergency plan development and emergency operations centres," a spokesperson from SPSA told CTVNews.ca in an email.
A spokesperson for Alberta's wildfire management branch said education programs and public engagement sessions are "key" to preventing wildfires.
"One of the most effective prevention programs Alberta Wildfire administers is FireSmart, an actionable framework designed to mitigate the risk and impact of large uncontrollable wildfires near homes, communities, and critical infrastructure," the spokesperson said.
WHAT HAPPENED TO SMOKEY BEAR?
FireSmart is Canada's equivalent to the U.S. Forest Service — better known as the organization that created Smokey Bear.
Smokey is a mascot from the '50s with a message of fire prevention and safety that was soon adopted in Canada. But FireSmart Canada program manager Magda Zachara says Canadians have their own wildfire icon.
"Ember the Fox is a FireSmart Canada mascot, Smokey the Bear is not and never was," she told CTVNews.ca in a phone interview on Wednesday.
The two mascots also have different messages, Zachara said.
"Smokey the Bear is very much tied entirely to prevent a wildfire," she said. "And we as FireSmart are really focused on the mitigation and risk reduction message."
Some provinces still use the mascot to this day but as FireSmart Canada's presence grew so did Ember's recognition.
"If you travel around the country you will still see Smokey being used in certain provinces, or other mascots. In fact, Alberta has their own mascot and Quebec has a totally different mascot," Zachara said. "So there are numerous other mascots out there as far as wildfires (campaigns) are concerned."
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Here's what observers are watching for in Monday's four federal byelections
CALGARY
Calgary travellers concerned about higher prices, less options as WestJet merges Sunwing Airlines with mainline business
Some Calgary travellers are concerned about WestJet’s plan to wind down Sunwing Airlines and integrate it into its mainline business.
'Nervous anticipation': Flashbacks of 2013 flood in southern Alberta come every June
One last engine run becomes a sendoff for longtime RCAF member
EDMONTON
'None of my neighbours know about it': Concerned citizens say not enough public awareness around proposed bylaw changes
The City of Edmonton is making a major change this year, which will dictate how the city grows and densifies in coming decades.
'Grateful for the rain': Wet weather helps firefighters make progress on Fort Chipewyan fire
1 dead, 2 injured after shooting on Saddle Lake Cree Nation
VANCOUVER
'They chose death and not to give in to cruelty': Vancouver Baha'i community marks grim anniversary
Sunday marked the grim 40th anniversary of the public execution of Baha'i women in Iran.
B.C. clinic offers cancer screenings for unattached patients
'June-uary has arrived': Snow falls on Interior highway passes
POLITICS
Here's what observers are watching for in Monday's four federal byelections
Four new MPs are set to be elected to the House of Commons Monday in a handful of byelections that political watchers say could expose rifts within the Conservative party and bring a new Liberal cabinet hopeful into the fold.
Canada's first out lesbian federal minister on why Pride feels different this year
Conservatives have to moderate to win the next election, O'Toole says in exit interview
HEALTH
Pfizer penicillin supply shortage not affecting Canada, for now
Pfizer Inc. is experiencing a supply shortage of penicillin in the U.S. amidst increased demand, but the pharmaceutical company said Canada should be unaffected by the lack of supply, for now.
'Promising' new drug to treat Alzheimer's in pipeline of approval in Canada
Time to ditch your gas stove for health reasons? The answer is 'murky,' experts say
SCI-TECH
Elon Musk says Twitter video app for smart TVs is 'coming'
A Twitter video app for smart TVs is in the social media company's plans, owner Elon Musk said in a tweet on Saturday, a move that would be in line with the company's new plans to focus on growing video content on the platform.
Here's how AI is being used in elections: expert
How Europe is leading the world in the push to regulate AI
ENTERTAINMENT
'The Flash' opens to US$55 million, a step off the typical superhero pace
DC and Warner Bros.' long-in-the-works superhero movie 'The Flash' opened to US$55 million in its first three days in North American theatres, according to studio estimates on Sunday.
Spotify executive calls Harry and Meghan 'grifters' after 'Archetypes' podcast deal ends
Elliot Page on balancing trans joy and harsh realities of anti-LGBTQ2S+ sentiment
BUSINESS
High government spending means more inflation? It's complicated, economists say
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's attempt to block the federal government's budget bill from passing earlier this month is the latest example of government spending coming under scrutiny amid high inflation.
Loneliness, insomnia associated with frequent use of AI systems at work: study
Microsoft says early June disruptions to Outlook, cloud platform, were cyberattacks
LIFESTYLE
Elliot Page on balancing trans joy and harsh realities of anti-LGBTQ2S+ sentiment
Elliot Page is in a bit of an odd position, he says, being one of the most visible transgender men in the world. He's in a better place than ever before. The Halifax-born actor is able to be his full self without reservation. But at the same time, he has publicly declared himself part of a group that is under attack.
The woman who founded Father's Day was a renegade, great-granddaughter says
The truth about how often you should wash your hair
SPORTS
Max Verstappen wins back-to-back Canadian Grand Prix
Max Verstappen tied the late Ayrton Senna for career victories and Red Bull won its 100th Formula One race as the Dutchman extended his season-long dominance on Sunday at the Canadian Grand Prix.
Soccer project tracking social media abuse identifies 300 people from World Cup posts
'I had no idea they were coming.' Andy Murray surprised by his children as he wins tournament on Father's Day
AUTOS
Max Verstappen wins back-to-back Canadian Grand Prix
Max Verstappen tied the late Ayrton Senna for career victories and Red Bull won its 100th Formula One race as the Dutchman extended his season-long dominance on Sunday at the Canadian Grand Prix.
U.S. highway safety agency reports power problems in 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 SUVs
Vehicle theft at a 'critical point' in Canada, with car stolen every six minutes: report
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