Forest area burned

For years, many people thought all wildfires were destructive and they worked hard to suppress them. Scientists have since learned what Indigenous people have known for centuries: fire is a healthy part of grassland and forest ecosystems. Fire is a naturally occurring phenomenon that plays a role in the overall health of forests. Fire reduces forest canopy, promotes new growth by allowing more sunlight to reach the forest floor, and adds nutrients to forest soils, helping to create diverse forest habitats for birds, animals, and insects.

Each year the total area of Prince Albert National Park that has been disturbed by both natural and prescribed fire is determined. This data is compared to historical records and is used to determine if the forest is regenerating at a healthy rate.

Current fire management practices allow wildfires to burn within a contained area if they do not threaten people or values in the park and adjacent to the park’s boundaries. The focus of wildfire management is to protect human life first, followed by cultural assets and park infrastructure. Prescribed fires are carried out in many national parks to return this regenerative process to forest and grassland ecosystems.