Prescribed Fire Liability, Insurance, and Regulatory Requirements in the Canadian Prairies

The Meewasin Valley Authority (Meewasin), in partnership with the Canadian Prairies Prescribed Fire Exchange (CPPFE), is seeking proposals from qualified consultants to conduct a comprehensive review of liability, insurance, and regulatory requirements for prescribed fire in the Canadian Prairie provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba). The review will also include research into the availability of these products, the requirements for coverage and a scale of costs.

Meewasin is a leader in the active conservation and enhancement of biodiversity, native species, habitats, and ecosystems through a strong and integrated resource management program in the Saskatoon region. In 2017, Meewasin completed the Valley-wide Resource Management Plan, which outlined the key conservation initiatives to help conserve and enhance the natural assets of the Meewasin Valley, including native grasslands, wetlands, the river valley, and swale complexes, with a series of key objectives and actions to meet these conservation goals. Restoration of natural processes, including prescribed fire, is key to the success of this strategy. Meewasin is a founding member of the Canadian Prairies Prescribed Fire Exchange and provides day-to-day operational support.

The Canadian Prairies Prescribed Fire Exchange (CPPFE) is an inter-agency collective focused on increasing knowledge sharing and training for prescribed fire in prairie and parkland ecosystems. The CPPFE provides learning opportunities, facilitates resource sharing, and acts as a hub for fire science and grassland fire knowledge. The CPPFE was established in January 2021. More information can be found at www.grasslandfire.ca.

Fire has been and continues to be a critical natural process in the North American Great Plains, historically credited with maintaining biodiversity and habitat. Over-suppression of fires and land-use changes have disrupted this balance, leading to a loss of biodiversity and increased uncontrollable wildfires. The CPPFE aims to address this by promoting prescribed fire as a tool for conservation, traditional practices, and public safety.

The CPPFE offers various resources, including an online course, "Introduction to Prescribed Fire in the Grassland Environment," in partnership with the University of Saskatchewan (found at: https://www.grasslandfire.ca/intro-to-prescribed-fire).&