The B.C. government is ramping up wildfire preparedness for 2025 by welcoming back experienced wildland firefighters and training a new wave of recruits, following a record number of applicants.

Since October 2024, the BC Wildfire Service received more than 1,700 applications, the highest recorded number of applications ever received. This includes 578 in January alone, the largest number ever received in a single month.

“The heart of our wildfire efforts is hands down the brave members of the BC Wildfire Service,” said Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests. “I’m proud of everyone who put their name forward to join our team and grateful to all the wildland firefighters who continue to keep us safe year after year.”

B.C. is still focusing on the four pillars of emergency management: prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. As part of these efforts, a series of enhancements were made in 2024 to strengthen pathways for participation in wildfire response, specifically for applicants in rural and remote communities.

“Wildfire prevention is about more than stopping new fires – it’s about working together with our partners and communities to reduce wildfire risk,” Parmar said. “The BC Wildfire Service has already had a busy start to 2025, supporting our neighbours in California as they dealt with devastating wildfires. This was an invaluable opportunity to collaborate on our shared work and prepare for our own wildfire season in B.C.”

A dedicated training and recruitment model for First Nations communities is expanding this spring, with sessions that build local capacity, strengthen relationships between the local First Nation and fire centre, improve wildfire response, and address needs heard from communities. First Nations bootcamps will begin in April 2025 in several fire centres, along with new-recruit bootcamps at the Merritt training facility.

Upon completion, successful candidates will be offered positions on crews around the province.

Facts about BC Wildfire Service’s recruitment

* In previous years, BC Wildfire Service’s applications were accepted in December and January.

* This period was extended to October through February in advance of the 2024 wildfire season.

* Every year, there are typically approximately 200 openings for crew member positions in locations around the province.

* The BC Wildfire Service is a year-round agency which engages with local contractors, local governments, First Nations and international partners throughout the winter to ensure resources are available before the start of the wildfire season.

That includes:
* securing equipment and aircraft contracts;

* continuing to implement new technologies and innovation;

* focusing on prevention; and

* engaging with local partners, including communities and local equipment operators, to ensure everyone is prepared for wildfire season.

Learn more about the First Nations bootcamp

Learn more about New Recruit Bootcamp 

BC Wildfire Service file photo

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