Pyrosilviculture trial

Within the Forest Operations Resilience program, FPInnovations researchers in collaboration with Laval University, are conducting a novel experimental burn study in Forêt Montmorency. The trial compares different debris management strategies within a shelterwood harvest in mature balsam fir stands. Scenarios include an unmanaged control, a conventional shelterwood harvest where tops and branches are left on site, and a shelterwood harvest where residual material is extracted to the roadside. 

This trial helps FPInnovations assess how alterations to standard harvesting practices affect fuel loads and subsequent fire behavior. Pre- and post-harvest fuel inventories and LiDAR acquisitions have been completed. Experimental burns were scheduled for this summer to quantify fire behaviour, but due to an active national fire season and resource constraints, have been postponed to 2027. 

 Robin Tremblay and Zackary Shakeri presented preliminary results on fuel dynamics following the harvesting operations at the IBFRA International Conference (August 24-28, 2026). Early findings show a decrease in canopy and ladder fuels and an increase in surface fuel loads from the shelterwood treatment, while the biomass recovery treatment resulted in 20% less surface fuel load than the conventional treatment. Ultimately, these findings will provide forest managers with evidence-based guidance to integrate effective wildfire mitigation practices into eastern Canadian forestry operations.