Wildfires have become an escalating global threat as climate change accelerates. In Canada, the 2023 wildfire season was the most severe ever recorded, scorching over 15 million hectares (37 million acres) of managed forests—more than seven times the national annual average. These fires not only devastated ecosystems and threatened lives and infrastructure, but also released unprecedented levels of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. More than 230,000 people were evacuated, and many remote communities—particularly off-grid Indigenous communities in the north—found themselves on the frontlines.These same communities already face chronic energy insecurity, relying heavily on inefficient diesel generators for electricity and heating. Diesel fuel must be transported over long distances, often by truck, making supply chains costly, unreliable, and carbon-intensive. The convergence of wildfire risk and diesel dependence presents a pressing dual challenge but also a unique opportunity.A Transformative Solution&nbsp; A recent study led by Nicolas Mansuy, PhD, published in Nature Communications Earth &amp; Environment, outlines a novel approach: converting biomass at risk of wildfire into bioenergy. The strategy integrates fire-smart fuel management with community-scale bioenergy systems to address two major challenges at once—wildfire mitigation and clean energy access.Wildfire mitigation strategies such as fuel treatments often involve clearing flammable materials like deadwood, dry branches and dense undergrowth near infrastructure and populated areas. This biomass is typically discarded or left to decompose. The study proposes a different path: treating this material not as waste, but as a renewable feedstock to produce local bioenergy. By doing so, communities can reduce fire hazards while decreasing their dependence on diesel.This integrated approach directly supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy) and SDG 13 (climate action), by expanding access to renewable energy and lowering emissions from both wildfires and fossil fuels.Local Biomass, Local Power&nbsp; The study identified 33 remote Canadian communities that are both diesel-dependent and surrounded by wildfire-prone biomass within a 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) radius. Most of these communities have populations ranging from 100 to 3,000 residents, with annual energy needs between 700 and 20,000 megawatt-hours. These energy profiles make localized biomass-to-energy systems technically and economically feasible.One of the most compelling findings is that harvesting less than 1% of the available biomass within the 10-km buffer zone would be sufficient to meet these communities’ entire annual energy demand. In effect, biomass from local fire mitigation could provide all the necessary feedstock for bioenergy generation.Two scenarios for energy conversion were explored in the study:Wood chip-based model: This theoretical scenario shows strong potential for cost savings but would require greater investments in infrastructure, planning and on-the-ground logistics.Wood pellet-based model: This operational scenario involves using commercially available biomass boilers and wood pellets. It offers a more immediate and scalable pathway, relying on existing technology and distribution systems.In both cases, transitioning to bioenergy would significantly reduce diesel consumption and associated emissions. As of 2020, remote communities in Canada consumed approximately 700 million liters (185 million gallons) of diesel annually—mainly for heating and electricity—serving an estimated 200,000 people. This level of consumption equates to about 9 metric tons of CO2-equivalent emissions per person per year, more than three times the emissions of the average Canadian household.More Than Clean Energy&nbsp; The benefits of this integrated approach go well beyond energy and emissions reductions. Since 2017, the Canadian government has supported over 100 clean energy projects through the Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities program, including several bioenergy initiatives. Yet, logistical challenges remain one of the biggest hurdles to scaling up biomass use in remote areas. Long transportation distances, seasonal accessibility and limited infrastructure make external biomass supply chains expensive and impractical.By using biomass already located near these communities—biomass that would otherwise pose a fire risk—logistical burdens are dramatically reduced. In turn, this unlocks a series of important co-benefits, including the following:Wildfire prevention: Removing flammable biomass reduces the risk of uncontrolled fires, protecting lives, homes and ecosystems.GHG reduction: Emissions are mitigated both from wildfires and from the continued use of diesel generators.Economic development: Local job creation and skills development is supported in the areas of forest management, energy system operation and environmental monitoring.Community empowerment: Indigenous communities gain more autonomy over their energy systems and land management practices.&nbsp; Resilience building: Long-term resilience against both environmental threats and socio-economic vulnerabilities is enhanced.Moreover, this approach aligns with Indigenous leadership and stewardship values, integrating traditional knowledge with modern clean energy technology. Indigenous organizations are already leading innovative energy and land management projects across the country. Supporting and scaling such efforts could accelerate both climate action and reconciliation.Scaling the Vision&nbsp; Although promising pilot projects exist, most communities have not yet adopted this approach. Scaling up requires more than good ideas. It calls for strategic investment, policy support and collaborative governance. To make this vision a reality, several key areas need to be addressed.Local infrastructure and equipment: Biomass harvesting, processing and storage facilities must be developed to support small-scale energy systems.Education and training: Fire awareness campaigns and capacity-building programs will ensure communities can manage and operate these systems safely and effectively.Coordinated policy frameworks: A cross-jurisdictional approach is essential, aligning forestry, energy, Indigenous affairs and emergency management.Long-term financing: Sustained federal and provincial funding mechanisms are needed to support implementation and maintenance.Inclusive governance: Indigenous leadership and collaboration with local stakeholders should be central to project design and decision-making.Governments, utilities, fire agencies, researchers and community organizations must work together to build a national framework that supports community-scale bioenergy integrated with wildfire mitigation. This kind of win-win solution shows how climate adaptation and energy transition can be tackled simultaneously.Toward a Resilient Bioeconomy&nbsp; While the study focuses on remote and off-grid communities, the broader implications are national and even global. The removal and use of fire-prone biomass can be integrated into commercial biomass supply chains, contributing to a growing market for renewable, sustainable feedstocks. As demand rises for low-carbon fuels and circular bioeconomy solutions, fire-smart bioenergy offers a compelling path forward.In the face of increasing wildfire activity and energy insecurity, especially in Canada’s north, the opportunity is clear. By turning a major climate threat into a source of sustainable power, this approach addresses some of the most pressing challenges, energy access, climate resilience and community well-being, through a single, integrated strategy.As Canada prepares for future wildfire seasons, the time to act is now. Empowering communities with clean, local energy derived from fire-risk biomass not only helps prevent disaster, but it also lights the way to more resilient communities. Author: Nicolas Mansuy&nbsp; Researcher, Natural Resources Canada&nbsp; nicolas.mansuy@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

2025-07-08 - From Wildfire Fuel to Bioenergy (Biomass Magazine)

Using at-risk biomass for bioenergy is a win-win solution to Canada’s off-grid communities.

From Wildfire Fuel to Bioenergy

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