BC Wildfire Service Has Record Application Numbers Ahead Of Wildfire Season

The Province is set to start training a new wave of recruits ahead of the upcoming wildfire season.

Since October, the BC Wildfire Service received more than 2,200 applications, the highest recorded number of applications ever received.

This includes 578 in January alone, the largest number ever received in a single month.

“The heart of our wildfire efforts is hands down the brave members of the BC Wildfire Service,” said Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests.

“I’m proud of everyone who put their name forward to join our team and grateful to all the wildland firefighters who continue to keep us safe year after year.”

Parmar noted the BC Wildfire Service has already had a busy start to 2025, supporting crews in California as they dealt with devastating wildfires.

He called it an invaluable opportunity to collaborate on their shared work and prepare for our own wildfire season in B.C.

A dedicated training and recruitment model for First Nations communities is expanding this spring, with sessions that build local capacity, strengthen relationships between the local First Nation and fire centre, improve wildfire response, and address needs heard from communities.

First Nations boot camps will begin in April in several fire centres, along with new-recruit boot camps at the Merritt training facility.

Upon completion, successful candidates will be offered positions on crews around the province.

To Learn more, visit Government of British Columbia.