Cultural and prescribed fire resources

For 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.

Shared Stewardship

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.”

Cultural and prescribed burning discussion paper

Read the Cultural and Prescribed Fire in BC: Discussion Paper (PDF, 1.4MB) on proposed initial changes to the Wildfire Act related to cultural and prescribed burning.