Province Takes Early Action To Prepare For Wildfire, Drought Season

BC Wildfire Service says it is expanding the use of wildfire predictive technologies.

“We’re taking action earlier than ever and preparations for this year’s wildfire season are already well underway,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness.

“We have seen the devastating consequences of climate change on our communities and we are using lessons learned from last year to strengthen our approach to emergencies. By taking a whole-of-government approach and working with local governments, First Nations and emergency-response partners, we can ensure we are as prepared as possible for whatever might come.”

Bruce Ralston, Minister of Forests says adding more technology to the BC Wildfire Service’s tool kit will enable firefighters to make critical decisions faster when it matters most.

In advance of the 2024 wildfire season, B.C. is introducing technology that can produce real-time wildfire behaviour predictions and incorporate information directly from the field.

This is aligned with feedback from the Premier’s Expert Task Force on Emergencies and follows last year’s successful trial of the software.

The wildfire predictive technology will first be introduced in the Coastal and Kamloops Fire Centres, where it has already been trialed to ensure compatibility with forest and fuel conditions.

Following continued trials, refinements and staff training, B.C.'s remaining four regional fire centres will phase in the new wildfire predictive technology throughout 2024.

While wildfire predictive technology provides decision-makers with more intelligence and more time to plan their operations.

Wildfire growth modelling works by using data from weather models, topography, and fuel maps.

The technology being implemented by the BC Wildfire Service includes the ability to use existing geospatial data and fuel maps, but also uses an app-based interface to allow for on-the-ground inputs in real time.

The technology includes an interface for field staff, operational decision-makers, and fire behaviour specialists who each have a unique role to play in forecasting, resource planning and fighting wildfires.

To learn more, visit Government of British Columbia.