B.C. Works With Communities To Boost Wildfire Prevention, Preparedness

Municipal fire departments and local governments, the Province, First Nations, and FireSmart BC are coming together to help B.C. communities prepare for the wildfire season.

Building on recommendations from the Premier’s Expert Task Force on Emergencies, the FireSmart Wildfire Resiliency and Training Summit brings together hundreds of local and municipal firefighters to collaborate and train with the BC Wildfire Service.

“People are feeling the impacts of climate change and longer wildfire seasons, and we know that the only way forward is to work together. Communities bring critical knowledge, skills and relationships to the table, and we’re growing their role in wildfire preparedness,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Forests.

“The Wildfire Resiliency and Training Summit is a valuable opportunity for hundreds of leaders and first responders from across B.C. to delve into the insights gained from the 2023 wildfire season and better prepare for the upcoming season.”

The five-day event includes two days of collaborative training between local fire departments and the BC Wildfire Service.

The training session includes classroom and field work focused on fire line operations, deployment of fire engines, large water-supply operations, and overall approaches to structure protection in the wildland-urban interface.

This year’s Summit theme of ‘recover, rebuild, prepare’ reflects the work done by many communities after last season’s wildfires and the need to keep FireSmart principles in mind when preparing for future wildfire seasons.

Following the training session, a three-day conference will explore lessons learned from 2023 and the latest research, technology and programs that will help communities prepare for the wildfire season.

Ahead of the wildfire season, the Province says it has strengthened community participation in FireSmart BC by improving accessibility, streamlining administrative requirements, and providing more long-term certainty for communities applying for FireSmart funding.

The FireSmart Community Funding and Supports program has shifted to an allocation-based model, meaning communities can apply for multi-year funding.

The Wildfire Resiliency and Training Summit will take place in Prince George this year, following the worst wildfire season in B.C.’s history when the greatest impact was in the northern half of the province.

To see the full release, visit Government of British Columbia.