By Parks Canada



Using fire to fight fire may seem counter-intuitive, but a deliberately lit fire can be a very important tool in a firefighter’s toolkit.

During the Numa Creek Wildfire in 2013 (Kootenay National Park), specialists burned away fuel in the wildfire’s path to slow its progress. They used a natural firebreak and convective air currents to control the deliberately set fire and protect both the highway and structures below.

Fire specialists rely on a thorough understanding of fire behaviour to successfully manage fires of all kinds. Where we see flames and smoke, fire specialists see prevailing winds, convective heat, in-drafts and more. This is what fire specialists saw during one operation on the Numa Creek Wildfire of 2013.

To see the video go to:  https://www.friendsofkootenay.ca/blog/numa-fire

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