Burn Severity in Canada's Mountain National Parks: Patterns, Drivers, and Predictions

A study analyzing burn severity in Canada's Rocky Mountain Parks from 1985 to 2015 reveals that fuel type is the dominant factor influencing fire intensity, while topography, vegetation, and climate contribute equally. Lightning-caused fires result in more high-severity burns compared to prescribed fires. Predictive models indicate consistent spatial patterns of burn severity across Banff, Kootenay, and Yoho National Parks, with intensive fire management zones showing lower severity, reflecting effective local interventions.

Wang, W., Wang, X., Wu, W., Guo, F., Park, J., & Wang, G. (2022). Burn Severity in Canada’s Mountain National Parks: Patterns, Drivers, and Predictions. Geophysical Research Letters, 49(12). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022gl097945