Record number of applications to join B.C. wildland firefighting teams, province says
Crews already responding to holdover fires in B.C.'s northeast
The province of British Columbia says it's received a record number of applications to join its wildfire-fighting teams.
In a media release, the province said more than 1,700 people have applied for a job with the B.C. Wildfire Service, including 578 in January alone, in the weeks following destructive wildfires in California that were fought, in part, with support from crews in B.C.
"I'm proud of everyone who put their name forward to join our team and grateful to all the wildland firefighters who continue to keep us safe year after year," Forests Minister Ravi Parmar said in the release.
More than 10,800 square kilometres of land burned in B.C. in the 2024 wildfire season, a major drop from the record-setting 28,400 in 2023 but still significantly more than the 10-year average. The majority of those fires were caused by lightning.
Looking ahead, the province is still dealing with the impact of ongoing drought and many parts of the province are experiencing a low snowpack.
Crews are already responding to holdover fires that went underground over the winter and have now reemerged to smolder and release smoke in the far northeast.
In response to prolonged wildfire seasons, the province has expanded its application process and increased the number of permanent staff it has available year-round.
The province said it will begin hosting bootcamps for new recruits, as well as First Nations that are partnering with the service, in April. The province said there are typically about 200 openings for new positions with the wildfire service every season.