With warmer weather just around the corner, the B.C. government says it is ready to deal with the upcoming wildfire season.
Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar tells 1130 NewsRadio on Monday that the province is “hoping for the best, preparing for the worst, but we are ready” as investments are being made to address the needs of residents in areas vulnerable to wildfires.
“We’ve taken a number of steps to be prepared for the 2026 wildfire season, and that of course begins with making sure we have the people, the boots on the ground,” he said.
With more than 2,400 applications, Parmar says this was a record-breaking year for interest in joining the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS).
The provincial government says that a $21 million equipment depot, which was included in the province’s 2024 budget, will be operational in time for this year’s wildfire season.
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Parmar says the depot, located in Prince George, will make it easier for crews to move equipment throughout the province.
“I hear from folks in the north and Prince George and surrounding areas… the need for more government resources on the ground,” he said.
“This is addressing that.”
The BCWS has invested $14 million for on-the-ground firefighting equipment, which includes trucks and camp infrastructure, he says.
Late last year, the Ministry of Forests said 8,864 square kilometres of land had been burned by 1,350 blazes between April and December. This was close to the 10-year average of about 8,500 square kilometres, and was down significantly from 2023’s record wildfire season, when 2,293 wildfires burned more than 28,000 square kilometres.
Parmar advises those who live in vulnerable areas to download the BC Wildfire Services app to always have access to the most reliable and up-to-date information.
With files from Aastha Pandey-Kanaan and The Canadian Press.