The BC Ministry of Forests officially began its 2026 wildfire readiness efforts on March 16, 2026, to prepare communities like View Royal, British Columbia, for the upcoming summer. This work is meant to help local residents get ready for the heat as the province scales up its response teams and resources.
The province has seen record interest in seasonal firefighting, with roughly 2,400 people applying to work with the BC Wildfire Service this year. To support these crews, $14 million was spent on new equipment for people on the ground, and a $21 million supply hub in Prince George is now ready for the season.
More than 1,700 local fire departments and First Nations groups have received specialized training on how to handle fires that move from forests into residential neighbourhoods. Environment Canada predicts a hot year ahead, which prompted this push to strengthen provincial safety and response times.
Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar explained that the province is shifting to a year-round approach to manage more severe fire seasons. Residents are encouraged to use FireSmart BC resources to clear dry brush from their properties and update their emergency kits before the heat arrives.
