While many may be familiar with the iconic anti-forest fire symbol Smokey the Bear, fewer may know that the beaver has the potential to help mitigate wildfire. Beavers build dams, dig channels, and manipulate streams, turning them into broader wetland areas. This helps promote lush plants, even during periods of drought. In a situation where a fire ignites, greener vegetation near beaver ponds becomes more difficult to burn in comparison to drier vegetation. Fire often takes the path of least resistance and will burn through dry vegetation away from beaver pants rather than smolder through wet vegetation.
In 2016, Canada saw one of its worst wildfires in history in Fort McMurray, Alberta, displacing 800,000 people. That same year, Alberta saw 1,338 wildfires, with an estimated 60 per cent of the fires being caused by humans.
However, wildfires, or forest fires, are a natural hazard that can occur in any forested or grassland region, including Canada. According to getprepared.gc.ca, there is an approximate average of 8,000 wildfires that occur each year in Canada. These fires pose a great threat not only to the environment and animal species but potentially to humans as well.
Dr. Glynnis A. Hood has explored the subject of the impact of controlled fires and their impacts on the beaver in a case study on Elk Island National Park. She has shared much of her knowledge and findings on this subject and more with The Beaver Institute, a great resource for beaver education.
Areas that are affected by beaver ponds can act as a refuge for animals unable to escape the wildfire, such as fish, frogs, birds, small malls, and so on. Generally, while other areas of the landscape burn, the area around beaver ponds can remain relatively unimpacted. This makes the area a good place to hide while waiting out the fire.
The infrastructure proposed by beavers raises the water levels and creates wetlands that are used by many other species. Because of their effect on other organisms in their ecosystem, they have often been considered keystone species. This storage of water can support vegetation and help maintain moisture content. This makes wetlands more difficult to burn in wildfire and can even serve as a barrier to its spread.
Not only do beaver habitats deter the flames themselves, but beaver dams and ponds can also function as filters for ash and other pollutants caused by the fire and enter waterways. This helps to maintain the water quality for fish, aquatic animals, and more.
However, many humans consider beavers to be a nuisance animal, as they can also flood roads, fields and chew down trees on neighboring human properties.
When it comes to wildfires, they have many causes, many natural and others unnatural. Climate change stands as one of the leading causes, as well arson and forest mismanagement. Wildfires destroy habitats and lead to the death of both wildlife and humans alike, so mitigating wildfires is extremely important.
It’s important to know that wildfire spreads quickly and can force entire communities out of their homes. If you happen to live in a region that is known to be at risk for wildfires, make sure you have a plan in place to remove you and your loved ones if your community is impacted by fire. The Canadian Wildland Fire Information System has maps that track the behaviour of fire throughout the year that are updated daily, making it a key tracking resource. As well, the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre provides up-to-date reports on wildfires happening across the country. If you want more information on how to mitigate and prepare your home and community for wildfire risk, see FiresmartCanada.ca.
