Améliorer la résilience des collectivités dans le contexte de l'augmentation des risques liés aux feux de forêt

The document argues that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of wildfires in Canada, necessitating a shift from reactive to preventive strategies. It highlights the FireSmart program as an effective tool for reducing building vulnerability through vegetation management and fire-resistant materials, while noting that individual efforts must be supported by updated building codes, limited urban sprawl, and inclusive community consultations to protect vulnerable populations.

• Climate change is projected to increase the number of dry and windy days conducive to wildfires by 50% in western Canada and 200% in eastern Canada.
• The 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire resulted in approximately 9 billion dollars in physical, financial, psychological, environmental, and health damages, displacing 85,000 people and destroying over 2,400 structures.
• Analysis of the Fort McMurray fire revealed that most homes were destroyed by embers rather than direct flame contact, and that a single vulnerability—such as debris in gutters or wooden balconies—could lead to a home's destruction.
• The FireSmart program reduces risk by recommending the removal of ignition sources within 10 metres of a home and encouraging the use of Class A roofing materials like asphalt shingles, fiberglass, terracotta, concrete, and metal.
• Current resilience efforts are limited because building codes in most provinces and municipalities do not require fire-resistant materials, and Quebec is the only province with standards to guide local communities in risk reduction.
• Urban sprawl into natural areas is increasing the overall costs and risks associated with wildfires, yet public authorities are rarely willing to limit such construction.
• Effective risk management requires a combination of reducing home ignition potential and implementing forestry management practices to lower the probability and severity of fires.

APA

Canadian Climate Institute (2020). Améliorer la résilience des collectivités dans le contexte de l'augmentation des risques liés aux feux de forêt. https://institutclimatique.ca/publications/ameliorer-la-resilience-des-collectivites-dans-le-contexte-de-laugmentation-des-risques-lies-aux-feux-de-foret/

Chicago

Canadian Climate Institute. Améliorer la résilience des collectivités dans le contexte de l'augmentation des risques liés aux feux de forêt. 2020. https://institutclimatique.ca/publications/ameliorer-la-resilience-des-collectivites-dans-le-contexte-de-laugmentation-des-risques-lies-aux-feux-de-foret/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Canadian Climate Institute |title=Améliorer la résilience des collectivités dans le contexte de l'augmentation des risques liés aux feux de forêt |date=31 March 2020 |url=https://institutclimatique.ca/publications/ameliorer-la-resilience-des-collectivites-dans-le-contexte-de-laugmentation-des-risques-lies-aux-feux-de-foret/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{canadianclimateinstitute2020amliorer, author = {{Canadian Climate Institute}}, title = {{Améliorer la résilience des collectivités dans le contexte de l'augmentation des risques liés aux feux de forêt}}, institution = {Canadian Climate Institute}, year = {2020}, month = mar, url = {https://institutclimatique.ca/publications/ameliorer-la-resilience-des-collectivites-dans-le-contexte-de-laugmentation-des-risques-lies-aux-feux-de-foret/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }