Wildfires are reshaping the landscape of Canada’s mining industry, not just in terms of geography but in economic and operational risks.
Insured losses from wildfires across Canada last year were staggering, with damages exceeding $8 billion. The Jasper wildfire stands out as one of the most destructive, while Quebec saw fires threaten industrial sites in 2023.
The mining sector, while largely spared from direct damage, has not escaped unscathed. Neil Chaudhuri (pictured), OVP, operations chief engineer – Canada operations at FM, said that while most wildfire events didn’t encroach directly on mines, the impact rippled through supply chains, workforce logistics, and infrastructure reliability.
The location of most mining sites inherently increases their vulnerability.
“Supply routes run through forested areas, and critical utilities like electricity and water infrastructure pass through them as well,” Chaudhuri said. “Historically, as well, wildfires have been concentrated in Western Canada – Alberta, Fort McMurray, and BC – but we’re now seeing more in Eastern Canada, including Northern Quebec, Labrador, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia.”
In 2023, massive forest fires significantly disrupted mining operations in Quebec, a significant mining hub, leading to temporary suspensions of operations and evacuations. Numerous mining companies, including those involved in gold, iron ore, and other metal exploration and production, were forced to temporarily halt or reduce their activities due to the wildfires.
The primary reason for suspending operations was the safety of mine workers and the potential risk of fire damage to infrastructure. Road closures and evacuation orders also made it impossible for workers to access mine sites.
With transport routes severed, firms scramble to find alternatives, with delays stretching from weeks into months, according to Chaudhuri. He stressed that it’s crucial for mining companies near forests to prepare for these hazards and improve their facilities’ resilience.
“If supply routes run through forests and those areas burn, even if the mine itself isn’t affected, they may not receive critical materials,” said Chaudhuri. “That means they can’t run concentrators or processing facilities, which disrupts production and delays shipments to customers. If they don’t have stockpiles, they may have to rely on finished inventory or find workarounds.”
The mines that do face direct wildfire exposure contend with the twin threats. Chaudhuri explained that wildfire hazards generally fall into two categories: radiant heat and ember attack. Radiant heat comes from nearby vegetation and can ignite buildings depending on construction and distance.
Ember attack involves embers travelling hundreds of feet, even over a kilometre, igniting storage areas, combustible materials, or even entering buildings through vents, sparking interior fires. The level of damage ultimately depends on the mine’s location and layout relative to surrounding forests.
“If your forest is very close to a building, depending on the construction and the distance from that structure to vegetation, that radiant heat could ignite and cause the fire to spread into a building,” Chaudhuri said. “Flying embers can also ignite yard storage and exposed combustible construction but also fly into buildings through openings and ventilation systems, and that can cause fires inside of buildings.”
Understanding both types of risks will help mining firms create effective mitigation strategies and disaster response plans, he added.
Geography plays a major role in the severity of the threat. Fires moving downslope generate more intense heat exposure, requiring greater protective measures.
To mitigate this risk, mines need greater separation distances or fire-resistant construction. “If clearing vegetation isn’t feasible due to regulations or land ownership, installing fire-rated walls or exposure sprinklers can help,” Chaudhuri said.
Reducing fuel zones around structures is another effective strategy. Fire-resistant barriers and non-combustible materials make it harder for flames to take hold. “Make sure that you don’t have a lot of additional trees or additional debris between the forest and the mining area,” Chaudhuri said. “Having a reduced fuel zone can reduce the separation distances needed as well.”
The difference between a minor operational hiccup and a catastrophic loss for mining firms often comes down to planning, preparation, and investing in resilience. Chaudhuri stressed that emergency response planning is non-negotiable and that mines need a clear protocol in place before a fire ever breaks out.
“Ventilation systems should be shut down during a wildfire to prevent embers from being drawn inside. Installing fine wire mesh screens on openings acts as a flame arrester, stopping embers from entering,” he said.
“All these strategies should be outlined in a wildfire emergency response plan. Mines are often evacuated in these situations, so preparation is key to ensuring facilities remain intact and resistant to both radiant heat and ember attack.”
