Hutton Creek (Peace River Area) Prescribed Burn 2002 |
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Hutton Creek (Peace River Area) Prescribed Burn 2002 |
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| Location: | Hutton Creek (Peace River Area) |
| Date: | May 9, 2002 |
| Paticipants: | Alberta Conservation Assocition Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, Peace River Wildfire Protection Area FERIC WFORC (Gary Dakin, Dave Schroeder, and Rex Hsieh) |
The Hutton Creek prescribed burn was done by the ACA (Alberta Conservation Assocition) to enhance wildlife habitat along a 4.5 km section of the Peace River located near Hutton Creek (Twp. 84-21-5). The prescription area was along the Peace River (approximately 4.5 km), and contains steep slopes and small terraces (total elevation change approx. 300 m). Vegetation consisted of cured grass, and clumps of dense aspen and downed woody debris.
The burn objectives were a reduction of aspen cover and removal of downed heavy fuels. FERIC used this opportunity to collect fire behavior data for the Wildland/Urban Interface Research project.
We set up two video cameras inside two fire areas that were turned on 15 minutes prior to ignition. The cameras were to record grassland and aspen fire behavior. In addition, handheld video cameras and one digital camera were used from two safe-zones.
Windspeed increased from 10 km/h to 30 km/h shortly after ignition began on the first block. As a result, the fire became very vigorous. The in-fire camera pictures show how quickly the fire was moving under these conditions. Ignition was suspended until the wind died down, and unfortunately, the second in-fire camera ran out of film before the second block was ignited.
Because of the intense fires, and otherwise favourable burning conditions, it appeared that the ACA objectives were met. The ground was scorched white in many spots and a high rate of aspen kill seemed likely. As well, the value of a sound burn plan, especially the location of safe zones, was apparent during fire. The rapid rate of spread resulting from the increased windspeed might have left little time for crews to escape had they not been in a safe zone.
Thanks to the Alberta Conservation Association and Peace River Wildfire Protection (SRD) for giving FERIC the opportunity to observe the burn.
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Rex |
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