Additionally, logistics are vital for managing the aftermath of wildfires, such as providing relief to displaced residents and rebuilding affected communities – communities like Enterprise, NWT, where a forest fire destroyed approximately 90% of all structures (ref. CBC, Aug. 2023). In this particular case, fires moved up to 75 kilometres in one day (ref. CBC, Aug. 2023). For extremely dangerous cases such as these, efficient and rapid logistical responses are essential for preventing loss of life and loss of infrastructure. As stated by Federal Emergency Preparedness Minister Harjit Sajjan, “We need to make sure that we work together at all levels of government, have mitigation adaptation take place to where we can prevent these things, have the appropriate response in place.
Various logistical solutions can be put into place to rebuild these affected communities. For instance, the use of mass timber technology has been proposed as a solution to both wildfire management and the housing crisis. Mass timber construction, which uses smaller-diameter wood that is often a byproduct of forest thinning, helps reduce wildfire risk by removing excess fuel from forests. This method not only aids in forest management but also speeds up the construction process for new housing. Projects using mass timber can be completed 49% faster than traditional builds, offering a rapid response to the housing shortages exacerbated by natural disasters (ref: CBS/KREM, Nov. 2023). However, solutions like this are only possible with sound logistical practices – such as those taught at the College of Northern Canada.
