The Canadian Wildfire Fuel Knowledge Base (CWFMKB) was developed to be a means by which to learn more about existing strategies and innovative practices within the wildland fuel management sector.

This web-based operational platform synthesizes case studies, academic reports, scientific literature, industry presentations, and other reference material that relate to fuel treatments being performed in Canada. With this tool, professionals across the natural resource sector and beyond can make better informed decisions for wildland fuel management planning.

BUT WHY IS THIS NEEDED?

Wildland fuel management involves the manipulation of forests with the intent of removing or reducing available flammable material to help mitigate wildfire intensity and severity. There are numerous methods used to accomplish this objective that vary by jurisdiction across Canada, but very few avenues in which wildland fire management agencies, FireSmart advocates, or natural resource sectors, can access and share this information.

Given the vast array of forest and fuel types within the country each with different values and unique challenges made more complicated each year with climate change fuel management can be a daunting process. Furthermore, there is a lack of consistent data collection in the realm of wildland fuel management that limits the advantages wildfire modeling programs can have as decision support tools.

Knowledge sharing and transfer is thus essential in promoting the application of relevant science and developing best practices for wildland fuel treatments in different areas, and the CWFMKB is the current hub to meet those objectives.