Since 2023, BCAA’s partnership with FireSmartTM BC has helped British Columbians boost their wildfire resiliency, especially in communities that are most at risk of fire damage and impacts from wildfires.

The hard reality is wildfires in British Columbia are becoming more common. They effect more parts of the province each year, with longer wildfire seasons and more intense burns which are spreading faster. So, the need for wildfire resiliency has never been more important. At BCAA, we believe in supporting British Columbians with practical, proven tools to protect what matters most. This belief is at the heart of a partnership supported by BCAA’s $250,000 annual investment in wildfire prevention and preparedness with FireSmart BC.

Building resilience around BC

Many BC communities, especially remote and rural areas, face unique wildfire risks. Accessing wildfire preparedness resources can be challenging. That’s why we set out to change that in 2023 by partnering with FireSmart BC to proactively deliver preparedness education directly and provide expert FireSmart knowledge to the communities who need it most through the BCAA FireSmart Initiative.

Together, we’re also focusing on practical, research-backed wildfire risk reduction through the growth and success of FireSmart BC’s Wildfire Mitigation Program (WMP), which is recognized for significantly lowering property wildfire risk. The WMP provides free home assessments and empowers homeowners with tailored mitigation actions to protect their property. With the addition of BCAA Home Insurance savings for program participants, our goal is to accelerate this program’s momentum in more communities across BC.

Bringing FireSmart education directly to communities

One of the strongest tools for wildfire resilience is education. The BCAA FireSmart Initiative prioritized targeted outreach that would connect high-risk communities with FireSmart expertise and resources to help them become more wildfire resilient - tailoring support to each individual community's needs.

The results are impressive

• 18 high-risk community programs
  To date, our BCAA FireSmart Initiative has reached 18 high-risk BC communities, many remote or rural.
• $300K+ in grants
  We’ve supported more than $300,000 in local grants to help communities run their own wildfire mitigation projects. These projects include training key personnel, fuel reduction projects and capacity-building efforts.
• 200+ communities provided educational resources
  We’ve also helped share FireSmart BC educational resources to over 200 BC communities that give you simple, actionable steps to safeguard your home and property.

The result is a growing movement of wildfire-ready communities in BC, each taking practical, preventive steps to protect our future.

Communities lead the way

Our work is driven by the people who live and lead in BC communities. Their commitment inspires us, and their stories demonstrate the real difference this partnership is making. Here’s what people are saying in:

Hedley, BC

Thanks to the support of the BCAA FireSmart Initiative, Hedley residents were provided with preparedness education and knowledge to increase their wildfire resilience. Watch their inspiring story.

Lillooet, BC

“Thank you, BCAA for helping build capacity and for your help in promoting FireSmart principles to guide our communities to be more wildfire resilient! “

– Sharon French, Lillooet Tribal Council FireSmart Coordinator

Mackenzie, BC

“Thanks to the BCAA/FireSmart BC Initiative, we had the opportunity to provide summer employment for a Junior FireSmart Coordinator. This role provided meaningful work experience for youth while strengthening our community’s wildfire resilience. Through this program, we were able to provide a greater level of education and knowledge to the community, through FireSmart Home Assessments and public outreach.“

– Micaiah Taylor, District of Mackenzie Deputy Emergency Program & FireSmart Coordinator.

Stories like these show what’s possible when communities have the education, support and resources to help them take action to protect themselves from wildfires.

Learn how to mitigate wildfires in your community

Want tips and resources to help strengthen wildfire resilience for your community and property? We’re here for you. Discover resources for your home and see how the BCAA FireSmart Initiative is supporting communities in British Columbia.