Climate Adaptation Series: Wildfires

Pacific salmon are vital to our culture and environment in British Columbia. They are facing unprecedented challenges with increasing impacts from climate change, pathogens, development, and predation. At the Pacific Salmon Foundation, we are working to save and restore wild Pacific salmon.

Our Climate Adaptation series focuses on seasonal issues that salmon face, issues that become challenges during extreme climate events. These challenges often result in amplified stressors to Pacific salmon.

How do wildfires impact salmon habitat?

The second segment in our summer series on Climate Adaptation is wildfires.

In this feature, we learn from PSF VP Salmon Jason Hwang about wildfires. These massive events can devastate the landscape and freshwater habitats by creating unstable slopes, which cannot absorb water and drive additional run-off and debris downstream. The debris effectively clogs salmon migratory paths. The good news is, PSF is developing a first-of-its kind Forest Fire Playbook.

Pacific salmon need our help, and we must do everything we can to save them. At PSF, we’re salmon first, salmon always — and we don’t go it alone. Special thanks to our knowledgeable partners in this video — Sarah Ostoforoff, Fisheries Biologist, DFO, and Paul Mozin, Fisheries Biologist, Scw’exmx Tribal Council.

Please be in touch to learn how you can help.