19TDRMFD802 - Otter Lake Fire Reclamation

Forestry Division, in its mandate to prevent and suppress wildfires within the Province is required to reclaim disturbed forest land caused by wildfire suppression operations. These sites were essential for effective wildfire operations and include fireguards, creek crossings, pipeline crossings, helipads and fire camps. Wildfire reclamation is required to prevent or reduce the potential of soil erosion and ensure soil stabilization on or near the fireline. Reclamation of disturbances also promotes the recovery of the disturbed landbase for wildlife habitat (i.e. caribou) and vegetative growth. Due to soil conditions, the reclamation work must be done when the ground conditions are in a frozen state.

MWF016 started on May 26th, 2018 at approximately 1300 hours from a lightning strike. The fire was initial actioned by pre-suppression resources from the local WMA. After initial action the fire was turned over by the area to an IMT (K. Jennings) for sustained action. The total area involved was mapped at 2292ha with 20.41km of dozer guard along the northern perimeter of the fire. The average width of the dozer guard on the fire itself is 4.5 meters. There is also a large dozer guard component of contingency line to protect values at risk to the West and South West including Suncor Firebag assets and Kearl Production Facility. The total length of the contingency guards needing full reclamation is 42.1km, and the average with is 12 meters. As part of the initial action on this fire, dozer groups were sent in from the South and from the West to create these Values at Risk Contingency guards. Seismic lines and natural barriers such as Tamarack wet areas were utilized wherever possible. The group from the North, upon reaching the area where they were to turn South to meet up with the other group, continued East to reach the fire. They were then instructed to complete a dozer guard on the North perimeter of the fire using a watershed running through the fire from East to West as their boundary lines. The south perimeter of the fire was deemed too wet to put a guard in.


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