New Partnership Helps Neighbours Team Up to Reduce Wildfire Risk

BCAA and FireSmart BC Leverage the Power of Community Action

Burnaby, BC, April 30, 2026 – As warmer, dry weather begins to hit many areas of the province, and just in time for Emergency Preparedness Week (May 3-9), BCAA and FireSmart BC are encouraging people in BC to take action to prepare for wildfire season and consider planning for the longer-term by working together in their neighbourhoods.

To help make it easier for communities to come together to reduce wildfire risk, BCAA and FireSmart BC are partnering on the FireSmart BC Local FireSmart Collective Program (LFCP).

The LFCP brings community members together to learn about science-backed FireSmart actions, and provides resources, expertise, and opportunities for funding for collectives that register with the program.

“We are seeing longer, more intense wildfire seasons while we’re also seeing communities across the province continue to grow,” says Rachel Woodhurst, FireSmart BC Program Lead. “The Local FireSmart Collective Program is a new way to start a conversation with your neighbours about wildfire risks and helps us all actively work together to protect our communities.”

This made-in-BC, province-wide initiative comes as recent research from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety underscores the importance of this neighbourhood-wide approach to wildfire mitigation. This includes choosing appropriate building materials, using FireSmart landscaping, or taking other collective steps to prepare well before wildfire season hits.

“BCAA’s multi-year partnership with FireSmart BC has shown the impact that wildfire mitigation can have on protecting communities,” says Shawn Pettipas, BCAA’s Director of Corporate Purpose. “Wildfires are a major concern for people throughout BC, and we’re proud to support the expansion of FireSmart BC’s resources to protect more communities in the province and help neighbours work towards a collective goal.”

Get started this Emergency Preparedness Week

While wildfires are already burning in some parts of the province, it’s not too late to prepare and protect your home and community. To mark Emergency Preparedness Week (May 3-9), which this year celebrates the power of social connections and communities working together through the theme of ‘in it together’, BCAA and FireSmart BC recommend taking the following actions:

• Maintain an area free of flammable materials at least 1.5 metres around your home.
• Move all combustible materials like patio furniture, gas or propane tanks, and firewood at least 10 metres from your home.
• Choose low-density, fire-resistant plans and shrubs for your yard.
• Keep grass mowed to under 10cm and clear of leaves, twigs, branches, and pine needles.
• Keep gutters clear of debris.
• Review your home emergency plan with the people you live with.
• Have your grab-and-go bag ready and stocked with essential items.

Additionally, consider joining community groups, contacting neighbours in your area, or sharing more with people you know about how you prepare for wildfire season.

The BCAA FireSmart BC Initiative has made a significant impact by extending support to remote and high-risk communities, providing over $300,000 for local wildfire-resilience and mitigation projects, and distributing FireSmart educational resources to over 250 communities. BCAA also partners on the Wildfire Mitigation Program, which offers individual homeowners a free professional FireSmart home assessment with property-specific recommendations to improve wildfire resilience. Participating homeowners could be eligible for BCAA Home Insurance discounts.

Communities across British Columbia are encouraged to learn more about the Local FireSmart Collective Program and explore how working together can reduce wildfire risk.

To find out how to participate, visit firesmartbc.ca/lfcp.

–30 –

About FireSmart BC

FireSmart BC helps build wildfire resiliency and reduce the negative impacts of fire for everyone in the province. The BC FireSmart Committee was initiated by the BC Wildfire Service in May 2017 to provide direction for wildfire prevention activities. Members of the committee include the BC Wildfire Service, FireSmart Canada, the Office of the Fire Commissioner, the Union of B.C. Municipalities, the Fire Chiefs’ Association of B.C., Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR), the Forest Enhancement Society of B.C., the First Nations’ Emergency Services Society of B.C. (FNESS), Indigenous Services Canada, the Ministry of Forests - Regional Operations, Parks Canada, BC Parks, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, and the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs. 

About BCAA

Driven by its purpose to move British Columbians forward, BCAA (British Columbia Automobile Association) is a long-standing BC Top Employer (Mediacorp) and provides over 1 in 3 B.C. households with industry leading mobility and protection services including Membership, Insurance, Auto Marketplace, Task Marketplace, Auto Service Centres as well as Evo Car Share and Evolve E-Bike & E-Scooter Share. BCAA invests in programs and initiatives to make a positive impact by protecting the people and province of BC, recognizing that the place we call home is all of Ours to Protect.

For further information or to set up an interview, please contact: