With appropriate weather, fire behaviour, and public safety conditions, Pukaskwa’s fire management staff ignited the fire on May 30. Individuals from Parks Canada’s National Fire Management Division based at La Mauricie National Park joined Pukaskwa’s fire crew to assist with the operation. The fire site area will be monitored daily before being declared extinguished.
The prescribed fire occurred near Willow Lake in a 425 hectare mixed-wood area located in the north central part of the park’s backcountry. The goal was to re-introduce fire to 50% of the area.
The overall objective of this project was to improve the health and structure of Pukaskwa National Park’s boreal forest ecosystem. In total, 225 hectares were burned.
Fire is an essential and natural process in the boreal forest. Parks Canada uses prescribed fires to promote biodiversity. Prescribed fires are one way that Pukaskwa National Park ensures that the health of the park’s boreal forest ecosystem is protected for the appreciation and enjoyment of present and future generations. Through initiatives like these, Parks Canada is supporting Canada’s National Conservation Plan (NCP) by taking practical action to restore Canada’s ecosystems and contribute to the conservation of
Canada’s lands and waters.
Information on the Willow Lake prescribed fire is available at www.parkscanada.gc.ca/pukaskwa.
