Ravi Parmar

Each year, Wildfire Resilience and Awareness Week is a reminder of a reality we are all facing. Wildfires are no longer a distant or a seasonal threat. They are at our doorstep and part of our new normal, impacting communities throughout British Columbia.

Since 2017, we have experienced some of the most destructive wildfire seasons in our province’s history. Entire communities have been changed. Entire towns like Lytton have been destroyed. Families displaced. Landscapes transformed.

Through it all, we have seen the extraordinary courage of firefighters and first responders who step forward when others are told to leave. When others must evacuate, they risk their lives so communities can be saved.

But we have also learned something very important. Preparation makes a huge difference. If we’re going to meet this moment, we cannot simply react to wildfire, we must get ahead of it.

That starts with prevention and risk reduction. The best fire is the one that never starts. Around the province, we are investing in fuel management, expanding FireSmart practices, supporting prescribed and cultural burns, and working with communities and First Nations to build stronger and more resilient landscapes. This work reduces the intensity of fires and gives responders more options when it matters the most.

At the same time, when fires do start, speed is crucial. Rapid detection and initial attack can mean the difference between a small and manageable fire or a major emergency. That is why we are continuing to invest in the BC Wildfire Service, strengthening staffing, using better technology and enhancing aircraft capacity so we can detect fires earlier and respond faster. Catching fires early and keeping them small remains one of our best tools.

We also know that the forests themselves are changing. Decades of fire suppression combined with climate change impacts have left many areas more vulnerable than before. That is why we are modernizing forest management through more active management, better use of fibre and targeted thinning. Healthier forests are stronger and more resilient to wildfire, and that means safer conditions for communities and the brave people on the frontlines.

Preparedness at the community level is just as important. FireSmart works, and we’ve seen it firsthand in the homes and neighbourhoods that withstand wildfire. We have invested significantly to expand FireSmart throughout British Columbia, and now we need to continue to build on that foundation. That means improving evacuation plans, strengthening fire departments, and making sure communities have all the tools they need before a fire even arrives. When preparation is in place, it shows in the results.

And when wildfire does happen, our work is not over. Recovery and long-term resilience are some of the most challenging parts of this journey. Restoring ecosystems, rebuilding communities and supporting people through recovery efforts takes time, and it must be done with thought. Our focus is not just on recovery, but on rebuilding in a way that will reduce future risks and strengthens communities for the long run.

This is not work that the government can do alone. Wildfire doesn’t  stop when it hits boundaries and neither can we. Building resilience requires partnerships – between First Nations, provincial and local governments, industry and the communities we live in. It requires us to listen and to act together, throughout the province and the country.

Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of meeting with wildland and structural firefighters, community leaders, and people throughout this province who are already doing this important work. What I’ve seen gives me great confidence. When communities take action, when preparation is prioritized and when we all work together, we can reduce the risks and protect what matters most.

There is no single solution to wildfire. But step by step and hand in hand, we can build a stronger and more resilient British Columbia. One that is not just reacting to fire, but one that is prepared for it.

As we celebrate Wildfire Resilience and Awareness Week and head into the warmer spring and summer months, I know we are all looking forward to spending time with family and friends in our beautiful outdoor spaces. This is the perfect time for us to work together to raise awareness of wildfire, at the same time as we prepare for the worst and hope for the best.