Newfoundland and Labrador adds 13 weather stations for wildfire monitoring

New Weather Stations to Enhance Forest Condition Assessment in Newfoundland and Labrador

The Newfoundland and Labrador government is expanding its ability to assess forest conditions by purchasing 13 new weather stations.

In December, the Department of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands awarded a contract for these weather stations to FTS Forest Technology Systems Ltd., based in British Columbia. The total cost is $466,927.42, excluding HST.

Details of the Weather Stations

CBC News requested an interview with Forestry Minister Pleaman Forsey. However, spokesperson Linda Skinner provided an emailed statement on his behalf.

The statement explained that the Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System uses scientific models to assess forest conditions, determine fire risk, and predict fire behavior.

Daily, the province’s existing weather stations collect data on forest conditions. This includes temperature, relative humidity, wind, rain, and moisture levels.

Importance of the Data

The information gathered indicates how easily forest vegetation could ignite, how fast a fire may spread, and how difficult it would be to control a potential fire. This data helps decide what wildfire firefighting resources are needed and how to allocate them.

Skinner stated, “Thirteen new weather stations will be integrated into our current provincial network to bolster our ability to assess forest conditions and wildfire risk.”

Expected Delivery and Location

In a follow-up email, Skinner noted that these new weather stations are essential. Wildfire analysts and managers use weather data to predict fire behavior and spread.

She added, “Integrating additional weather stations into the current network will provide us with more refined and representative weather data for local areas.”

Skinner expects the weather stations will be delivered before the end of March. Their locations will be based on Environment Canada Weather forecasting zones to optimize data collection.

Procurement Process and Current Resources

CBC News inquired about who initiated the procurement process, whether it was the Liberals or the newly elected PCs. Skinner did not answer directly, stating, “Purchasing 13 new stations is part of a multi-year plan to improve and upgrade our overall capacity to manage wildfire.”

The province currently has 27 permanent remote weather stations and four portable “quick deploy” stations. These portable stations can be placed near large wildland fires to collect site-specific weather data.

During the recent provincial election, the Progressive Conservative Party emphasized the importance of emergency preparedness following a historic wildfire season and extreme drought conditions in some areas of the province.