Fort Smith and Hay River are at greater risk of wildfire than the vast majority of other Canadian communities, according to a new report from AISIX, a Vancouver-based firm that specializes in climate change-related data analytics. 

The new report, published on Jan. 2, used historical data and a cutting-edge fire-spreading model called Cell2Fire2, which simulates how wildfires move across landscapes based on factors like fuel availability, terrain and weather. The analyses focused on Canadian communities with 30,000 residents or fewer, and considered burn probabilities within 10 km of each community.

Hay River and Fort Smith both ranked in the top 10, along with Swan Hills, Alta., and seven communities in British Columbia. 

The report is intended SA国际影视传媒渢o aid government agencies, local authorities and residents in taking the necessary precautions to prevent loss of life and property,SA国际影视传媒� according to an AISIX news release. Dr. Gio Roberti, a climate risk scientist who serves as the firm's head of product, stated that the report contains SA国际影视传媒渘ovel insights.SA国际影视传媒�

However, GNWT Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation manager Mike Westick was not surprised to see either Hay River or Fort Smith SA国际影视传媒� both of which have been evacuated due to wildfires in recent years SA国际影视传媒� make the top-10 list. 

SA国际影视传媒淭he risk of wildfires is persistent in the boreal forest and is known in the areas identified in this report,SA国际影视传媒� Westwick said. SA国际影视传媒淲e are alive to the issue of the potential for increased wildfire activity as the climate changes and have increased investment several-fold in our wildfire prevention and mitigation section of business accordingly.SA国际影视传媒�

Both Hay River and Fort Smith are SA国际影视传媒渨orking to advance several fuel-reduction projects and maintain them for the future,SA国际影视传媒� according to Westwick SA国际影视传媒� SA国际影视传媒渁s are numerous communities across the Northwest Territories who have elevated wildfire threats.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淭he Community Wildfire Protection Plan implementation has received federal funding of nearly $20 million over the next few years to help advanced fuel reduction and fuel removal projects around communities,SA国际影视传媒� he said, which is intended to "increase wildfire resilience and preparedness."

SA国际影视传媒淲e work with communities to identify additional fuel reduction and removal projects consistently SA国际影视传媒� including seeking opportunities to advance prescribed and cultural burning projects which will improve local wildfire resilience," he added. 

The key to effective wildfire management, Westwick said, is SA国际影视传媒渕itigating the threats before wildfires happen.SA国际影视传媒�

There are several other initiatives underway across the territory in support of that objective, including FireSmart programs designed to teach residents how to reduce the risk of wildfire. These programs are available SA国际影视传媒渁cross all forested communities in the snow-free season,SA国际影视传媒� according to Westwick. 

The GNWT also supports SA国际影视传媒渃ross-training with municipal fire departments to advance knowledge and expand local program delivery capacity for FireSmart programs and principles,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Nineteen of the territorySA国际影视传媒檚 29 forested communities have received cross-training in FireSmart over the last 12 months. 

Hay River mayor Kandis Jameson said she had immediate questions when SA国际影视传媒 brought the AISIX report to her attention. 

While the town was devastated by wildfires in the 2023, much of the trees in the surrounding area burned away during that summer, theoretically reducing the risk of future wildfires.

"You lose half a million hectares of fuel around your community, you're definitely in a better spot, right?" she said. "Were these things taken into consideration when we made the list?

"I don't believe we're in the top 10."

Jameson said she reached out to AISIX for further information on the report, but did not hear back. SA国际影视传媒 also contacted the firm, but did not get a response by press time.

"I don't need my residents terrified over something that might not be true," Jameson said. "How [does AISIX] feel this is helpful? I have no idea. To me, it's fear-mongering."