YOUR PERSPECTIVE: British Columbia, It’s time for us to step up
From day one as B.C.’s Minister of Forests, I have been blown away by the work of the BC Wildfire Service. I have never met a more dedicated, hard-working group of people, and I am grateful everyday that we have such a world-class wildfire service protecting this province. I got my first briefing shortly after becoming Minister of Forests, but it wasn’t until a call came in from California, requesting our help, that I truly grasped the strength and scale of this organization.
Wildland firefighters put it all on the line during the wildfire season, but they can’t do it alone. The majority of wildfires right now are caused by human activity; it’s so important we all do our part by being prepared and vigilant this wildfire season.
Whether you live in Fort Nelson, Sicamous, Kelowna, Maple Ridge or Langford, we all have a role to play. One of the most impactful ways to build wildfire resilient communities is by participating in FireSmart activities like clearing the debris from your yard, trimming trees and shrubs, storing firewood away from buildings, and making sure your property is accessible to emergency crews. But don’t stop there. When you’re using fire on your property, make sure you’re doing it safely. Put out your campfire when you leave your site and follow all open fire prohibitions. These simple actions save lives.
The 2025 wildfire season officially began on April 1. We are coming off two of the worst wildfire seasons in our province’s history and in just the last few weeks, wildfires have already sparked across the province. The BC Wildfire Service has stepped up again, responding quickly to protect people and property. But they’re also doing something just as important — wildfire prevention.
