2023 Canadian Wildfires - Zombie Fires Overview

2023 Canadian Wildfires - Zombie Fires

• 2023 wildfire season was the worst on record, with over 6,500 blazes scorching over 48 million acres, a 170% increase from 2022.
• Fires calmed by snowfall, but many were not fully extinguished.
• "Zombie fires" - fires smoldering under snow, reigniting in warmer weather.
• Holdover or overwintering fires burn underground for weeks, months, or even years, sustained by organic matter (e.g., peat).
• Igniting factors include lightning strikes and controlled burns.
• 2023 saw a significant surge in zombie fires; estimates indicate 93 in BC and over 55 in Alberta. Normally, there are fewer than 15 annually.
• Difficult to detect due to remote locations, mainly flameless nature, and frozen ground hindering monitoring.
• Low precipitation and warmer winters over the past three years allowed fires to persist.
• Not unique to Canada; Alaska, Northern Europe, and Siberia also experience similar phenomenon.
• Similar characteristics from cool coniferous forests with thick layers of flammable vegetation.
• Fires can smolder underground throughout the winter, moving slowly.
• Fires can move 6 inches in a month or 100 meters after wild fire season has ended.
• Firefighters look for smoldering embers in the ground after a wildfire to ensure no hotspots remain.
• Even a single ember can reignite a forest fire.
• Holdover fires persist underground.
• Holdover fires are difficult to detect, especially when there is snow.
• Firefighters rely on public calls to report potential holdover fires.
• Holdover fires can be a significant concern as they can reemerge in warmer weather.
• Drought conditions and warm temperatures can contribute to the resurgence of holdover fires.
• The contribution of individual holdover fires to the total area burned is generally small, but can be substantial in years with severe fire conditions.
• Soil must be exposed to air and then flooded with water to extinguish holdover fires.
• Failure to extinguish holdover fires could lead to new fires in the spring.
• Cold trailing is a vital, but often overlooked, aspect of wildfire prevention and management.
• This work can help prevent large fires from starting again in the spring and protect communities from devastating wildfires.
• Wildfire is still a threat near Fort McMurray, despite much-needed rain.
• Families are seeking refuge and hoping for a quicker return home.
• Rain significantly helps control the fire, providing relief for residents.
• Firefighters are working tirelessly to contain the blaze and protect communities.
• Residents are advised to stay evacuated until Tuesday, potentially longer than expected.
• Authorities are cautious due to the risk of a second evacuation.
• Colder weather and rainfall provide much-needed respite for Fort Nelson, BC.
• Fort Nelson residents express immense relief after heavy rainfall.
• Two wildfires near the town are being contained by firefighters and rain.
• The fire near Cranberry Portage, Manitoba is being held back and rain is expected in the forecast.

Explore the alarming rise of zombie fires during the 2023 wildfire season in Canada. This quiz covers the impact of these smoldering fires, their causes, and their persistence under snow. Learn about the effects of climate conditions and how this phenomenon is not limited to Canada alone.