As wildfire seasons grow longer and more severe, the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) is committed to advancing research and innovation to enhance wildfire prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. Working with partners such as leading academic institutions, government agencies and industry experts, the BCWS Research & Innovation business area (R&I) is focused on driving forward initiatives that modernize wildfire management and prioritize wildfire responder health and safety. R&I works to provide research and innovation horsepower and expertise to help address questions, challenges and knowledge gaps across the BCWS.

Since its inception in 2018, BCWS R&I has focused on four key areas:

• Health, safety and well-being – Studying the physical and mental health impacts of wildfire response and exploring strategies to protect personnel
• Wildland fire science and associated natural sciences– Examples include enhancing fire behavior modeling, fire weather forecasting and ecological recovery strategies
• Equipment and technology innovation – Trialing new tools that may be able to augment the work the BCWS and our partners do, by improving safety, efficacy and/or efficiency
• Social science – Examples include understanding community resilience and the human dimensions of wildfire management

Ongoing projects of note

TRU Wildfire – As announced in 2024, the BCWS has partnered with Thompson Rivers University (TRU) to support the launch of TRU Wildfire. TRU Wildfire is an applied centre aimed to integrate research, education, training and innovation to create solutions for a changing world. By working directly with wildfire practitioners, TRU Wildfire helps bridge the gap between frontline experience and evidence-informed research.

Cardiorespiratory Effects of Wildfire Suppression (CREWS) project – A multi-year study, in collaboration the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) campus, that examines how exposure to wildfire smoke and ash impact the lung and vascular health of firefighters. View the CREWS study: an experimental overview research paper to learn more.

Cancer risks for firefighters – To better understand and mitigate cancer risks for firefighters, BCWS is collaborating with Health Canada on aspects of the National Framework on Cancers Linked to Firefighting and with the BC Cancer Agency on the WARRIOR (Wildfire Airborne Residues and Respiratory Impact On Responders) study.

Respiratory protection and air quality – Following successful research and assessments, BCWS has provided access to and education on respiratory protection for staff and are exploring other exposure mitigations, such as clean air shelters for fire camps.

Mental health – In collaboration with Laurentian University, BCWS is providing new psychosocial health resources for staff, as well as supporting the development of mindfulness interventions specific to wildland fire personnel.

Camera network for detection and monitoring of wildfires – Through a partnership with the UBCO campus, a camera network that uses 5G and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology is being expanded to give first responders information to support wildfire response, emergency management and public awareness.

Portable weather stations – BCWS, in partnership with UBCO and Rogers Communications, are trialing new weather monitoring technology to support prescribed burning and improve fire behavior predictions.

Characterizing fire deficits and adaptive wildfire management in Interior B.C. – BCWS is supporting a post-doctoral research project that applies fire deficit methodology across the Cariboo, Kamloops and Southeast fire centres. The project will assess how current fire regimes differ from historical patterns and help identify priority areas for fuel treatments, prescribed burns and other adaptive management strategies.

Mule deer habitat use in altered landscapes – BCWS is supporting a multi-year research project led by UBCO and the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship to study mule deer spatial ecology—movements, migrations, mortality and habitat selection—with a focus on how prescribed fire, wildfire and fuel treatments influence habitat use.

Strengthening and expanding our research and innovation partnerships

Collaboration is at the heart of research and innovation at the BCWS. Through partnerships with organizations such as TRU Wildfire, Health Canada, the BC Cancer Agency and researchers working across B.C. and beyond, the BCWS continues to expand its research capacity and translate findings into real-world applications. By working with partners, the BCWS is able to address knowledge gaps within wildfire topics and explore new technologies effectively, continuously improving and modernizing wildfire prevention, preparedness, response and recovery in B.C.