B.C. works with communities to boost wildfire prevention, preparedness

April 22, 2024

PRINCE GEORGE – The Province, First Nations, local governments, municipal fire departments 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,” said Tanya Spooner, manager of emergency programs, City of Prince George and Premier’s Expert Task Force member. “It is a chance to further the reach of FireSmart messaging, and an apt reminder that the implementation of FireSmart principles is a relatively simple way for individuals and homeowners to reduce the negative impacts of wildfires.”

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 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.

This year, FireSmart BC is offering a one-time recovery uplift of as much as $100,000 for affected communities, in addition to wildfire mitigation funding.

“Following conversations with impacted communities, including with West Kelowna fire chief Jason Brolund and local FireSmart co-ordinator Bryce Stirling, it became clear that there was a funding gap in the recovery space: specifically funding to clear post-wildfire debris so communities can build back more resilient,” said Rachel Woodhurst, chair, FireSmart BC Committee. “FireSmart BC is proud to offer this recovery uplift for impacted communities on top of wildfire mitigation funding, and we will keep taking action to be responsive to communities.”

The FireSmart Community Funding and Supports program has shifted to an allocation-based model, meaning communities can apply for multi-year funding. Many communities have already taken advantage of this change.

“Our wildfire proved that FireSmart works,” said Jason Brolund, fire chief, City of West Kelowna. “We knew that building an interest in FireSmart as our community rebuilt was going to be key, and that it would take resources and the efforts of people who were passionate about FireSmart. I couldn’t have been more pleased when they announced a short-term increase in funding to support communities that were impacted by wildfire in 2023.”

The Province continues to implement recommendations from the Task Force in real time to help prepare for the upcoming wildfire season, including already announcing key steps this year:

increasing the use of new technology to better predict wildfire movement and growth;
readying more volunteers to support evacuees;
enhancing wildland firefighter recruitment;
boosting wildfire-fighting equipment, airplanes and helicopters;
announcing a $21-million equipment depot in Prince George, and
creating a dedicated wildfire training and education centre at Thompson Rivers University.

Quotes:

Amanda Reynolds, FireSmart supervisor, First Nations’ Emergency Services Society –

“First Nation communities are among the highest at risk for wildfire and other emergencies. The First Nations’ Emergency Services Society is dedicated to helping First Nations develop and sustain safer communities. Participating in the BC FireSmart Committee and partnering with BC Wildfire Service ensures that First Nations have active participation, engagement, and access to vital wildfire prevention resources and information.”

Johnny Strilaeff, president and CEO, Columbia Basin Trust –

“Our partnership with the Province of B.C. and the BC Wildfire Service has enabled crucial wildfire resiliency efforts across the Columbia Basin, including FireSmart activities, fuel management and raising awareness of wildfire risks, prevention and mitigation. This collaboration not only enhances the safety and resiliency of small, rural and First Nations communities, but also underscores our shared commitment to protecting the region’s natural and community assets.”

Gord Pratt, senior manager, Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) –

“FireSmart is a shared responsibility of public agencies, private organizations and all the people of B.C. Its success depends on many and FESBC is proud to have been a key contributor to shape what FireSmart BC is today. We look forward to being part of its future where we can continue to support FireSmart BC’s vision of a ‘A wildfire resilient province where everyone works, plays and lives FireSmart.‘ ”

Trish Mandewo, president, Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) –

“As wildfires in B.C. increase in frequency and impact, the partnerships we build across the province go a long way to bolstering resilience in communities facing the brunt of the emergencies. UBCM is proud to partner with BC Wildfire Service to deliver funding, training, and mitigation support that local governments need to strengthen their communities to face climate emergencies.”

Quick Facts:

The Wildfire Resiliency and Training Summit takes place in Prince George this year, following the worst wildfire season in B.C.’s history where the greatest impact was in the northern half of the province.
While nearly 2.8 million hectares of forest and land burned around B.C., 80% of that area was in the Prince George Fire Centre.
A dedicated northeastern wildfire recovery team was formed in July 2023 with a focus on areas affected by the historic Donnie Creek wildfire and other fire-impacted areas in the North Peace, totalling 1.8 million hectares burned.
The work began while wildfires were still burning, and early priorities included: planning for replanting openings destroyed by the fires, rehabilitation of fire guards, mushroom-harvesting management, and opportunities to prepare for the 2024 fire season.

Learn More:

To learn about how to prepare for wildfires, visit: https://firesmartbc.ca/

To learn more about the Premier’s expert task force on emergencies, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-management/emergency-management/emergency-activation/em-taskforce

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:

Ministry of Forests
Media Relations
250 896-4320

BACKGROUNDER

To increase wildfire prevention and help keep people safe, the Province has taken action over the past six years to strengthen provincial and community capacity for wildfire mitigation and preparedness.

In recent years, the BC Wildfire Service’s prevention and mitigation efforts have expanded rapidly. The BC Wildfire Service has grown into a year-round organization focused on proactively reducing wildfire risks as well as responding to fires. Prevention efforts have included hundreds of wildfire risk-reduction and fuel-management projects with partner agencies, with 61 cultural and prescribed fire projects planned for 2024, 25 of which have been implemented this spring.

Since 2018, the Province, through BC Wildfire Service, has invested approximately $466 million in wildfire-resiliency and risk-reduction projects. The Province’s approach to wildfire risk reduction is through strategic partnerships with communities, First Nations and external partners, in addition to the BC Wildfire Service’s direct wildfire mitigation.

In advance of this year’s wildfire season, the Province continues to work on fuel mitigation and community preparedness activities to reduce the threat of wildfire, in partnership with local governments and First Nations, and the following organizations:

FireSmart BC

FireSmart actions are tested and proven, and they increase a home’s chance of survival in the event of a wildfire. FireSmart is the Canadian standard recognized by all provinces and territories based on National Fire Protection Association standards.

As a national leader in wildfire prevention and preparedness, work by FireSmart BC includes:

funding 223 local governments and First Nations to undertake FireSmart activities;
more than 90 local FireSmart co-ordinators and 205 FireSmart recognized neighbourhoods;
214 dedicated FireSmart positions funded or partially subsidized in communities throughout the province; and
65 garden-centre locations throughout B.C. that participate in the FireSmart Plant Program.

Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) and First Nation Emergency Services Society

Since 2018, the Province has taken action in partnership with the UBCM and First Nations Emergency Services Society to reduce wildfire risk through FireSmart grants and supports, with $185 million committed to date.

The UBCM, in partnership with First Nations Emergency Services Society, administers the FireSmart Community Funding and Supports (FCFS) program for communities. More than 750 applications have been received since 2019, leading to more than 350 completed projects.

Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC)

The Province partners with FESBC to reduce wildfire risks, enhance wildlife habitats, improve damaged or low-value forests, and manage greenhouse gases.

Since 2016, $68.4 million has been invested in wildfire risk-reduction projects through FESBC. An additional $60 million was announced for FESBC to continue industry and community focused wildfire risk reduction and fuel management as part of Budget 2024.

Fire Chiefs Association of British Columbia

The Fire Chiefs’ Association of British Columbia is a non-profit organization that serves as an essential source of information, education and community for its members. It proactively engages with the government and standards organizations on issues relating to fire services, resulting in effective and supported fire departments throughout the province.

The Fire Chiefs Association of BC are members of the FireSmart BC Committee and active supporters of the FireSmart Home Partners Program.

Farmland Advantage

Farmland Advantage helps farmers identify and enhance the natural values on a farm that can be protected, restored and enhanced, and develops recommendations and plans to preserve them.

Since 2021, the BC Wildfire Service has worked with Farmland Advantage on $1,400,000 in wildfire risk-reduction and community-resiliency projects, focusing on strategic areas in the wildland-urban interface.

Columbia Basin Trust

The Province has supported wildfire prevention alongside the Columbia Basin Trust since 2021.

Initially launched as part of the BC Economic Pandemic Recovery Plan, this program became the Columbia Basin Wildfire Resiliency Initiative in 2022-23 with an investment of $4 million to support expanded wildfire risk reduction in the Columbia Basin. The program is supported by the BC Wildfire Service, the Ministry of Forests’ Regional Operations, and the Columbia Basin Trust. To date, this initiative has supported 20 projects in 18 communities.

British Columbia Cattlemen’s Association

The Province partners with the British Columbia Cattlemen’s Association to support beef cattle producers. Since 2021, $300,000 has been provided in grant funding to build and expand on an existing Initiative that develops, pilots and tests new models of targeted livestock grazing as a supplemental tool for managing fine fuels in B.C.’s forested rangelands.

B.C. Community Forest Association

BC Wildfire Service has taken action alongside the B.C. Community Forest Association (BCCFA) to reduce wildfire risk in community forests.

BCCFA is a non-profit society that serves as the voice and advocate of community forests in B.C. BCCFA represents more than 100 rural and Indigenous communities throughout the province.

Since 2020, more than $5 million has been provided to BCCFA to treat land in community forests located near rural communities.

Woodlot Development Council (Woodlots BC)

Woodlots BC represents approximately 841 woodlot licensees in B.C. and supports research and extension programs for the development and enhancement of the woodlot industry in the province.

This year, the BC Wildfire Service is taking action with Woodlots BC to provide $600,000 for wildfire risk reduction within the wildland-urban interface on woodlot tenures, and to support planning and site assessments, such as fuel management prescription development, and research.

Contact:

Ministry of Forests
Media Relations
250 896-4320

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