Summary

• The Province is investing $15 million in the FireSmart Community Funding and Supports program
• The successful Wildfire Reduction Equipment Support Trust (WREST) gets $5-million boost
• The BC First Nations Forestry Council gains $5 million to support Indigenous students entering forestry-related fields, encourage First Nations’ participation in forestry sector
• The Forestry Service Providers Compensation Fund receives $5 million to support logging and silviculture contractors affected by industry insolvency

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More local governments, contractors and First Nations will take on wildfire-risk-mitigation roles in and around their communities thanks to a $30-million investment in training, equipment and FireSmart programs.

“Through powerful partnerships with local communities, we’re doing the work to get ahead of wildfire season,” said Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests. “We’re investing in local governments, contractors and First Nations to mitigate the risks of wildfire, protecting people and community. This is how we create jobs, support workers and build more resilient forests, restoring confidence in our sector.”

Building up wildfire resilience

The FireSmart Community Funding and Supports program is receiving an additional $15 million to continue prioritizing core FireSmart activities to protect the most vulnerable communities in B.C.

The program is part of B.C.’s Community Resiliency Investment (CRI) program. Along with the Crown Land Wildfire Risk Reduction program, it reduces wildfire risk by funding planning, education, co-ordination and fuel-management activities on publicly owned and Crown land.

In 2018, the Province launched the CRI program to significantly increase funding for wildfire-risk-reduction projects in B.C. Approximately $190 million has been dispersed, with 132 First Nations and 148 local governments receiving funding.

The FireSmart Community Funding and Supports program is moving to a closed intake, based on priority, to provide a fair and equitable opportunity for eligible applicants to apply for funding.

Contractors take a lead in wildfire resilience

The Wildfire Reduction Equipment Support Trust (WREST) is receiving a $5-million boost to help contractors purchase specialized equipment to carry out wildfire risk reduction and commercial thinning projects. Commercial thinning is the practice of removing certain trees, such as small trees that act as a ladder for fires.

B.C.’s logging contractors have the skill, experience and local knowledge to navigate local forests and use FireSmart principles to make them less prone to fire. During the 2023 wildfire season, approximately 450 contractors jumped into action with their equipment to help fight B.C.’s most devastating wildfire season on record.

“The funding provided through the WREST program has helped Paxton Ridge Contracting shift into more efficient operations and has provided more opportunities for our business,” said Rob Bouchard, owner, Paxton Ridge Contracting. ”We are now more focused on thinning projects to support community resiliency and wildfire risk reduction.”

In January 2025, the program was expanded to cover as much as 25% of specialized equipment. Currently, the trust has supported the purchase of 75 pieces of equipment, from relatively small mulchers to million-dollar log forwarders.

B.C.’s nurseries, logging and silviculture contracting community can also access the Forestry Service Providers Compensation Fund, which received a $5-million boost. The funding provides relief to contractors who were not paid for forestry services performed on provincial lands because the company became insolvent.

Scholarships for Indigenous forestry students, First Nations participation in the forest sector

The BC First Nations Forestry Council is receiving $5 million to continue the Indigenous Forestry Scholarship program and support First Nations’ participation in the forestry sector. The Indigenous Forestry Scholarship program, delivered in partnership with BC Timber Sales and BC Wildfire Service, helps Indigenous students gain experience in forestry.

The program provides Indigenous students with tuition and living scholarship, paid summer work-term experience and one-on-one mentorship with a program partner. More than 125 students have joined BC Timber Sales, gaining valuable experience and skills in forest management.

Funding supports First Nations participation in the forestry sector through joint initiatives, such as the First Nations Fall Forum, an important venue for engagement between First Nations and the Province on key forestry reforms.

Learn More:

• To learn more about B.C.’s investments into community wildfire resilience and eligible programs, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/prevention/funding-for-wildfire-prevention/crip
• To learn more about the Wildfire Reduction Equipment Support Trust and to apply, visit: https://wrestrust.ca/
• To learn more about the Indigenous Forestry Scholarship Program, visit: https://forestryconnect.typeform.com/to/XSHwrRuS?typeform-source=www.forestrycouncil.ca
• To learn more about the Forestry Service Providers Compensation Fund, visit: https://fspcf.com/