Best Practices During Forestry Operations
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The Importance of Adopting Best Practices
Every year, wildfires are caused by activities carried out during forestry operations. Many of these fires could have been prevented through the consistent application of best practices in the field. These practices are outlined, among other places, in the Minimum Standards document.
The standards and preventive inspection process apply to the operations of SOPFEU members and their service providers. Minimum prevention standards that must be followed in the forest must be implemented by SOPFEU members. Members of the forest industry must also collaborate with SOPFEU on preventive inspections.
In addition, SOPFEU recommends adopting safe behaviours, quickly recognizing signs of a wildfire and responding appropriately. These are key elements in protecting forests, ensuring worker safety and reducing environmental and economic impacts.
Prevention best practices are not intended only to respond once a fire has started, but above all to reduce ignition risks from the beginning of operations.
The Role of the Industry
Forestry companies play an essential role in wildfire prevention. Knowledge and application of best practices must be an integral part of work methods, just like occupational health and safety.
Training crews, reinforcing procedures and responding quickly to hazardous situations can prevent fires with major consequences for workers, forest territories and communities. Prevention begins with simple actions repeated every day in the field.
Best Practices to Apply During a Fire in Your Operations
- 1
Immediately Report Any Fire or Suspicious Smoke
Report any fire by calling 1-800-463-FEUX (3389).
Provide GPS coordinates and an accurate description of the situation.
Also report any suspicious smoke observed within the work area, even if it is not related to your operations.
Example: An operator notices a thin column of smoke near a forest road. Even if the fire appears minor, it must be reported immediately to allow a rapid response, helping protect the forest environment and ensure the safety of all forest users.
- 2
Prioritize Safety During Any Intervention
Carry out interventions with worker safety as the primary consideration.
Park machinery in open areas with exposed mineral soil.
Maintain safe distances: four times the flame length or eight times the height of surrounding trees (radiant heat exposure).
Leave a fire area from the rear when necessary.
Avoid soft ground conditions.
As a last resort only, seek refuge in an area that has already burned.
Example: During an active fire, an operator positions machinery on mineral soil and avoids stopping on unstable slopes or soft ground, reducing the risk of becoming stuck or losing control.
- 3
Create an Effective Firebreak Using Machinery
Create a continuous firebreak around the fire.
The recommended minimum width is 5 to 7 metres.
Reach mineral soil whenever possible.
Include any spot fires located outside the main perimeter.
Always push unburned material outward (green into green).
Create the control line as close to the fire as possible without moving unburned vegetation toward the fire.
Example: If embers are carried beyond the main perimeter, they must be incorporated into the firebreak to prevent the fire from restarting.
- 4
Best Practices Specific to Excavator Use
Apply the same principles as those used when creating a firebreak.
When burying burning material, dig as deep as the excavator boom can reach — never just cover material at the surface.
Clearly mark the work area with abundant flagging tape.
Establish a 30 m x 30 m cleared area down to mineral soil nearby.
Never open or disturb a windrow if it cannot be buried or if no one is available to carry out watering operations.
Example: A hot windrow is completely buried at depth and clearly marked to prevent a worker from accidentally reopening it.
- 5
Integrate Prevention into Daily Operations
Regularly remind employees about ignition sources (smoking materials, machinery).
Keep equipment in good working condition.
Ensure procedures are known and followed by everyone.