Fire and Vegetation Management Program

Wood Buffalo National Park experiences wildfires regularly. Most are caused by lightning. While wildfires can change the landscape, they are a natural part of the boreal forest. They play an important role in renewing the forest and supporting the plants and animals that depend on it. Fire keeps the ecosystem healthy.

Parks Canada manages wildfires by balancing public safety, the protection of buildings and infrastructure, and the health of the ecosystem. When a wildfire starts, fire specialists look at the fire's location, behaviour, weather conditions, and possible impacts. Based on this assessment, crews may decide to fully suppress it, suppress certain areas, or monitor the fire while allowing it to burn naturally.