Whitehorse Climate Change Adaptation Plan - Yukon College

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Community Adaptation Project
relocation. The Alaska Highway was also periodically closed during historic fire seasons due to
poor driving conditions.
Successful fire management depends on fire prevention, detection and suppression. In April
2003, the Protective Services Branch of the Department of Community Services (Government
of Yukon) became responsible for the Fire Management Program from the federal government.
Fire prevention relies both on prevention of natural and human-based ignition. Fire ratings are
typically assigned to proactively manage fires. Fire bans are often issued during periods where
the fire rating is moderate to high. Fire detection is possible through regular surveillance of a
particular area and through reports made by members of the public via the forest fire hotline or
otherwise. Finally, fire suppression depends on the capacity of fire-fighting crews and equipment
made available by the Department of Community Services.
Forest Fires: Adaptive capacity and climate change
A dry climate and a close proximity to forested areas make Whitehorse vulnerable to frequent
forest fires. The extent of resultant damage is dependent on the intensity, spread of the fire,
and on the capacity of firefighting crews to control the blaze. The Yukon’s Fire Management Plan
provides the structure for implementing an adaptive response plan. However, due to the city’s
relative isolation, communities remain vulnerable to fires that become difficult to control due to
unpredictable or changing weather patterns. A recent fuel management plan was compiled for
the western Whitehorse region which highlighted that certain areas of the surrounding forest
would burn particularly hot and fast2 .
Biophysical and climate research suggests that climate change may influence the frequency
and intensity of forest fire activity in the northern boreal system (Duffy et al., 2005; Westerling
et al., 2006). The area surrounding Whitehorse is characterized by a relatively arid climate,
thus an increase in average temperature and changes in the intensity and frequency of
precipitation events could increase the risk of forest fires. Strong communication between the
government, the public, and fire managers will strengthen adaptive capacity. Overall, public
education campaigns and further monetary investment in fuel management will be important
preventative measures that will help to ensure that residents are aware and prepared for
potential changes in the forest fire regime due to climactic changes. Effective fuel management
is expensive but must be maintained. Although a FireSmart program has instigated the
clearing of underbrush (potential ignition fuel) in forest surrounding certain subdivisions, such
measures will not undermine the need for quick institutional response should a fire break out.
Future forest fires could become bigger and more intense if periods of drought are followed
by sudden thunder storms which generate lighting. Given that there are more people living in
and around Whitehorse, these fires may become harder to fight. For example, there were 7.4%
more residents in Whitehorse in 2006 compared to 2001 (Statistics Canada, 2006 Community
Profiles, www.statcan.gc.ca). Large fires in the future may potentially threaten property and
infrastructure more than ever before, especially in relatively remote areas on the periphery of
the city.
FLOODING
Flooding is an important environmental stress in Whitehorse and can occur year round,
regardless of seasonal conditions. Flooding can cause damage to buildings, houses, bridges,
roads and sewage structures. Local vulnerability stems primarily from the Yukon River which
traverses the city, one of the biggest rivers in North America. The Yukon River reacts quickly
2. Yukon News, June 11, 2010, Whitehorse ill prepared for fire, Chris Oak.