{"id":15062,"date":"2024-06-19T21:42:03","date_gmt":"2024-06-20T04:42:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.gov.bc.ca\/bcwildfire\/?p=15062"},"modified":"2026-01-08T10:41:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T18:41:10","slug":"drought-and-related-hazards-on-northeast-wildfires","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.gov.bc.ca\/bcwildfire\/drought-and-related-hazards-on-northeast-wildfires\/","title":{"rendered":"Drought and related hazards on northeast wildfires\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Wildfire operations within the Fort Nelson Fire Zone come with additional challenges due to the unique fuel type in the region compounded by multiple years of drought. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boreal Spruce<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The predominant fuel type in the eastern portion of the Fort Nelson Zone is boreal spruce. Spruce trees are coniferous with low lying branches and contain large amounts of sap. In the event of a wildfire, low lying branches act as a ladder, moving fire from the forest floor up into the tree canopy. Additionally, spruce sap is flammable, which favours ignition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spruce trees also have shallow roots. Therefore, when the duff layer \u2013 the layer between the top \u2018litter\u2019 layer and the mineral soil \u2013 is burned, tree stability is further compromised. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acidic, clay-like soil<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The soil in northeastern forests is acidic and clay-like. It hosts shallow root systems, such as that of the boreal spruce, and has poor drainage capabilities. Heavy precipitation can affect soil integrity, increasing the risk of falling trees and washing out transportation routes with mud. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blowdown <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Areas where trees have been broken or uprooted create dense, unorganized fuel beds. Excessive blowdown increases the risk of injury from unstable debris. In addition to posing navigation challenges, blowdown increases the volume of fine and large fuels available for a fire to burn. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cut blocks <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Timber harvesting often leaves behind woody debris (slash), which is highly susceptible to ignition. Cut blocks also expose neighbouring stands that would have otherwise been sheltered by the forest canopy, leaving trees more vulnerable to wind and heat.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Aerial view of Nogah Creek (G90288) wildfire on June 18.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

All these factors combined with multiple years of drought and a wildfire-impacted landscape heightens existing hazards inherent to wildfire response. Identifying and falling unstable trees, known as \u2018danger trees\u2019, is one of the ways the BC Wildfire Service mitigates critical hazards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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