The B.C. government says new funding in the provincial budget will help communities prepare for future wildfire seasons.

Budget 2026 includes a 30-million-dollar investment aimed at reducing wildfire risk and supporting forestry workers and First Nations.

15 million dollars will go to the FireSmart Community Funding and Supports program to help local governments and communities carry out wildfire-prevention projects.

Another 5 million dollars will boost the Wildfire Reduction Equipment Support Trust, which helps logging contractors purchase specialized equipment used in wildfire-risk reduction and forest-thinning work.

The BC First Nations Forestry Council will also receive 5-million dollars to support Indigenous students entering forestry-related careers and increase First Nations participation in the sector.

An additional 5-million dollars will go to the Forestry Service Providers Compensation Fund, which provides financial relief to contractors who were not paid for forestry work after a company became insolvent.

The province says the funding will help strengthen wildfire-resilient forests while supporting workers and communities across B.C.

To learn more, visit Government of British Columbia.