Cultural and prescribed fire resources
Last updated on March 27, 2024For information on specific projects, search posted information bulletins.
The safety and success of prescribed fire projects depends on appropriate weather and site conditions. If required conditions do not become available projects will be postponed.
Visit prescribedfire.ca to view case study videos and learn more about the planning and delivery of prescribed fire projects.
Funding
There are many pathways to fund cultural and prescribed burning projects:
Learn more about wildfire prevention funding streams.
Guiding principles
The Ministry of Forests is committed to working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to support the expanded use of cultural and prescribed fire. Cultural and prescribed fire is an important tool for the advancement of reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, as well land stewardship and public safety.
Expanding the use of cultural and prescribed fire is a ministry mandate commitment:
“With support from the Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, strengthen the BC Wildfire Services focus on wildfire prevention and management year-round, including cultural and prescribed fire.”
The ministry service plan calls on government to improve community resiliency and reduce wildfire and flood risk through proactive and collaborative natural hazard management. This will be achieved by increasing the number of cultural and prescribed fires developed or co-developed with First Nations.
Modernizing forest policy in B.C.
“The ministry will work in cooperation, coordination and collaboration with Indigenous partners and stakeholders to re-integrate prescribed and cultural fire as a core part of our forest management toolkit.”
Addressing the New Normal: 21st Century Disaster Management in British Columbia (PDF, 16.2MB) (Abbott Chapman Report)
“We believe a new and more successful approach must include the following critical elements: …
- More low-cost, landscape-level treatments (including prescribed burns) that can slow, divert or even halt large-scale wildfires.
- Greater use of prescribed burning to achieve fuel mitigation at both the interface and landscape levels. In partnership with First Nations, incorporate greater traditional use of fire as Indigenous Peoples have been doing for millennia.”
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and Declaration Act Action Plan
“Integrate traditional practices and cultural uses of fire into wildfire prevention and land management practices and support the reintroduction of strategized burning.”
Climate preparedness and adaptation strategy
"Provincial agencies have been working with First Nations Emergency Services Society, Indigenous Nations, and partners to establish the foundation for the expanded use of cultural and prescribed fire in B.C. This will improve climate adaptation, reduce wildfire risks and strengthen ecosystem resilience while advancing reconciliation.”
Wildfire Act and Regulation changes related to cultural and prescribed burning
Changes to the Wildfire Regulation related to cultural and prescribed fire came into force on March 13, 2024. These amendments provide an option for an Indigenous governing body to enter into an agreement with the Province under section 60 of the Wildfire Act relating to open fire, rather than submitting and obtaining approval for a burn plan from an official.
Learn more about how these changes will function in practice here.
These changes to the Wildfire Regulation follow recent amendments to the Wildfire Act that were enacted by the Legislature on November 30, 2023, enabling BC Wildfire Service staff to assist First Nations and other partners with burning projects when requested.
This is the result of consultation and engagement with all First Nations in B.C. The BC Wildfire Service engaged with Nations one-on-one through in-person sessions coordinated by the First Nations Forestry Council and conducted formal consultation with rights and title holders. You can read the What We Heard Report here.