|
SOPFEU - Operations
Every year in Quebec, over 800 fires burn hundreds of square kilometres of forest. To safeguard these woodlands, the Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU) must focus part of its efforts on prevention. When fires start to burn, SOPFEU must anticipate their behaviour, mobilize resources and respond quickly and forcefully.
 |
Prevent |
|
Through prevention, SOPFEU aims to lower the number of fires caused by human activity. Education and awareness are some of the tools used by SOPFEU when it comes to prevention.
Close cooperation between the media and SOPFEU helps keep the general public aware of the fire danger and informed of hazardous situations. Prevention programs are designed to reach outdoor enthusiasts, rural area residents and forest workers.
As soon as the situation warrants it, SOPFEU will suggest that preventive measures be applied during forestry operations and will take care of disseminating the most important ones.
|
|
Anticipate |
|
It is crucial to know the weather conditions since a forest’s flammability is directly related to how dry it is. Observations gathered by a network of weather stations serve to assess and predict fire danger and potential fire situations according to tree species.
Since lightning is responsible for a large number of fires, it is important to know where and when it strikes. Hydro-Québec’s lightning detection system provides this information in real time.
To quickly pinpoint a fire, an aerial detection system covers forested land in the intensive protection zone. Over thirty aircraft crisscross the territory at intervals established according to fire danger, lightning and forecast weather.
|
|
Mobilize |
| When the situation becomes critical, all interested parties must have a very clear picture of what is happening and know which resources are available. The success of an operation is based on how well suppression activities are organized. Deploying human and material resources in strategic locations will enable quick and powerful initial attacks.
Human as well as material resources must remain fully mobile throughout the forested land under protection.
|
|
Respond |
|
An initial attack with a strike force greater than the fire’s potential is the key to a successful suppression operation.
In Quebec, the amphibious water bomber is the preferred initial attack tool because it is not only fast, but it can also be used because of the province’s large number of lakes and rivers. The role of this aircraft is to promptly stop the fire in its tracks.
Helicopters mostly serve to transport personnel and equipment during fire suppression activities. They can also be fitted with an underslung bucket for dropping water on fires.
Grounds crews use water pumps, hoses, manual tools and heavy machinery to stop and extinguish a fire.
|
|
 |
 |
To
find out about the provincial or regional fire situation. To know
the fire danger and what preventive measures are in effect. »» |
|
|
Discover
Many prevention and awareness tools. »» |
|
