Derek Neary
Northern News Services

FORT PROVIDENCE (Jul 17/98) - The international crown fire modelling experiment officially concluded Monday after just two plot fires were set, but they provided very beneficial data, according to a Renewable Resources source.

Rick Lanoville, the manager of forest science services, admitted that two fires doesn't sound like a lot, but "very high quality data came from it," he said. That included information on smoke dispersion, the chemical makeup of smoke samples, measures of soil nutrients and the release of carbons, testing of protective clothing and testing of fire shelters.

Fifty-eight scientists from around the world, including some from NASA, took part in the experiment.

Very particular weather conditions are required for the crown fires.

"Getting those conditions right on required some patients on our part," he said.

In one case, on July 6, the experts were within 20 minutes of igniting a plot which contained the shell of a house to test national standards, when an isolated thunder storm developed.

"It decided to dump some rain on us. It was a small cell, probably no bigger than the area we were working on," Lanoville said, rather incredulously.

A total of eight plots were available to be burned over the three-week testing period.

"But we're very satisfied. It was a success."

The people of Fort Providence were extremely co-operative and were actually partners in the experiment, Lanoville noted. They had been planning for the experiment for the past four years and the burning actually began last summer.

Members of the community undertook the salvage logging and acted as fire crews during the experiment. In exchange, the visitors "filled up the hotels and bought a lot of gas," Lanoville said.

The two incinerated plots won't be left barren for long. RWED will consult with the community and plant the trees or bushes of their choice, he said.

The crown fire modelling experiment is scheduled to be held in Alaska next year.