Summary:

• B.C. has invited stakeholders, experts, Indigenous partners and government representatives from throughout the country to a wildfire symposium in Vancouver on Dec. 5, 2025
• Focus will be the 2025 wildfire season, wildfire technology, active forest management and national readiness for future wildfires
• Includes advancing discussions on a national leadership strategy and stronger collaboration that will shape the framework of wildfire resiliency in Canada

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Enhancing a national framework for wildfire resilience, including the challenges and opportunities people and communities are facing, is one intended outcome for the upcoming symposium on wildfires to be hosted in B.C.

National wildfire symposium

After the second-worst wildfire season nationally, B.C. is leading the symposium to bring together national and international experts, provincial, federal and territorial governments, as well as key industry and Indigenous partners, with the goal of sharing best practices and considering mitigation and preparation steps for 2026.

“As wildfire seasons become more severe and complex, it’s paramount that we co-ordinate our national response capabilities to protect the safety, health and economic well-being of communities from coast to coast to coast,” said Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests. “In order to meet these challenges head on, B.C. is taking initiative by creating the opportunity for leaders and experts to come together, reflect on lessons learned and shape the path forward to help keep people throughout Canada safe.”

Canada’s forests and communities are facing increasingly severe wildfire seasons that have devastated ecosystems, displaced people and strained national capacity.

The event will include panel discussions and presentations focusing on:

• the 2025 wildfire season in B.C. and throughout Canada
• shared experiences in prevention, suppression, recovery and adaptation
• technology’s role in wildland firefighting
• strengthening intergovernmental co-ordination and national readiness

2025 B.C. wildfire summary

While less destructive than previous seasons, the 2025 wildfire season still affected nearly every region in B.C.

• Since April 1, 2025, more than 1,350 wildfires burned an estimated 886,360 hectares of land in B.C. The 2025 season compared to the past five years:
  • 2024: 1,697 wildfires, 1,081,159 hectares burned
  • 2023: 2,293 wildfires, 2,840,104 hectares burned
  • 2022: 1,801 wildfires, 135,235 hectares burned
  • 2021: 1,647 wildfires, 869,300 hectares burned
  • 2020: 670 wildfires, 14, 536 hectares burned
• To date, wildfires this season resulted in 42 evacuation orders, which affected approximately 2,600 properties, and 91 evacuation alerts, which affected approximately 6,950 properties.
  • 2024: 51 orders issued, 112 alerts
  • 2023: 203 orders issued, 386 alerts
  • 2022: 15 orders issued, 43 alerts
  • 2021: 181 orders issued, 304 alerts
  • 2020: 3 orders issued, 9 alerts
• The BC Wildfire Service deployed personnel and equipment to support Yukon, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and California, U.S.

“Wildfires and their impacts on communities are becoming more frequent and severe across the country due to climate change,” said Kelly Greene, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. “This symposium is about learning from the shared experiences of our neighbours and building a safer future for all Canadians.”

B.C. leading in research and innovation

B.C. is exploring new technologies, approaches and research opportunities to build safer, more resilient communities. This includes:

• research into the health impacts of wildfire smoke, ash and dust to wildland firefighters
• evaluating automated wildfire risk and fire-growth modelling software to enhance wildfire planning and response
• studying the best ways to create FireSmart structures and communities

“We know that part of the reason B.C.’s 2025 wildfire season was less destructive than previous years is because of the investments made to better support staff, utilize new technologies, improve mitigation efforts and ensure the BC Wildfire Service has capacity year-round,” Parmar said.

Wildfires are a reality on the landscape in British Columbia and throughout Canada. The Province is continuing to build on the lessons learned by implementing wildfire predictive technology, utilizing more night-vision resources and working collaboratively with local, national and international partners to ensure a future that is more resilient.

Learn More:

• To read the 2025 wildfire season summary, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/about-bcws/wildfire-history/wildfire-season-summary?
• Canadian Wildland Fire Strategy – A 10-year review and renewed call to action: https://www.ccfm.org/releases/canadian-wildland-fire-strategy-a-10-year-review-and-renewed-call-to-action/
• Wildland Fire Management Working Group – Action Plan 2021–2026: https://www.ccfm.org/releases/wildland-fire-management-working-group-action-plan-2021-2026/
• Canadian Wildland Fire Prevention and Mitigation Strategy: https://www.ccfm.org/releases/canadian-wildland-fire-prevention-and-mitigation-strategy/

A backgrounder follows.