FireSmart™ Spotlight

The FNESS FireSmart Division has been busy supporting FireSmart application development, educating and mentoring FireSmart Coordinators, researching, and contributing to the FNESS vision of safe and healthy First Nation communities through ongoing collaborative efforts to increase wildfire resilience at the local level. The FireSmart Team works with dozens of FireSmart Coordinators working for Nations across BC, who are working to build resilience in their communities through education, training, mitigation, and hard work. The FireSmart Team is proud to support communities in their FireSmart journeys. We recognize that no FireSmart journey is the same and we are here to support you!

Recently, the FNESS FireSmart Team joined the other Mitigation Department Divisions in face-to-face meetings to enhance their skills and knowledge around the Community Resiliency Investment (CRI) FireSmart funding program that is offered through the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM). The focus of this training was to better build our skills and debrief on the successes and opportunities from 2024 while strengthening action plans and ways forward for 2025.

Local Champions: Recognizing FireSmart Leaders

Each month FireSmart BC highlights a Local FireSmart Representative (LFR) who is making a major impact in their local community. In November, we were proud to announce that Ed Attridge and Peter Luggi were the recipients of the award. Ed lives in Fraser Lake and works for Stellat’en First Nation as their Emergency Services Coordinator. Peter lives in Stella and maintains Stellaquo IR#1. Peter has been FireSmarting for over 30 years! Together, they are working to make their communities safer through FireSmart mitigation! Congratulations Ed and Peter!

Know of a great LFR in your community? Nominate them by sending us an email: FireSmart@FNESS.BC.CA 

Celebrating Excellence: Awards and the 2025 Wildfire Resiliency and Training Summit

The 2025 Wildfire Resiliency and Training Summit (WRTS), from April 12-16, 2025, in Penticton, will bring together experts, firefighters, and community leaders to share knowledge and best practices. We are honoured to be hosting this event on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan Nation. This Summit is an opportunity for wildfire professionals to learn about innovative tools and strategies that can help protect homes and communities from the risks of wildfire. The theme for the 2025 FireSmart Summit is: “Living with Fire: Building resilience by bringing fire back to the land, strengthening relationships, and investing in collective well-being.

In memory of Lynn Orstad, FireSmart BC, FireSmart Alberta, and the Co-operators are recognizing women across Canada who have contributed to furthering wildfire resiliency in their community, agency or province. The Lynn Orstad Award – Women in Wildfire Resiliency is an annual award honouring women who have made significant contributions in wildfire resilience and advocacy efforts. The 2025 award winners will be announced at the Wildfire Resiliency and Training Summit. To nominate someone that you think deserves this award visit: https://firesmartbc.ca/lynnorstadaward/nominate/

In recognition of the critical role that wildland firefighters play in keeping the province safe, FireSmart BC, the First Nations’ Emergency Services Society of BC, and BC Wildfire Service have partnered to create the BC Wildland Firefighter Awards, which will recognize four firefighters (Indigenous and non-Indigenous) each year at the WRTS. Please help support this important award by nominating your fellow wildland firefighter colleagues, visit: https://firesmartbc.ca/bc-wildland-firefighter-awards/nominate/

Wildfire Community Preparedness Day – $500 Awards

Wildfire Community Preparedness Day (WCP) is a national campaign encouraging everyone to take actions that increase their community’s resilience to wildfire. This grant is currently accepting applications until January 31, 2025. The funding provides $500 for community-led projects focused on wildfire mitigation and education, such as clean-up events, workshops, and other FireSmart activities. This is an excellent opportunity to strengthen community wildfire resilience at the community level—applications are open to everyone.

From community events to individual actions, every effort contributes to a more resilient BC. Stay connected, stay informed, and let’s continue working together to keep our communities FireSmart.

Want to see some of our FNESS FireSmart work in action? Check out some of our videos here: https://www.fness.bc.ca/resources/videos/

FireSmart, Intelli-feu and other associated Marks are trademarks of the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.