Exploring Wildfire Preparedness, Perceptions, and Responses in Western Canada: Insights from Valemount, British Columbia

Climate change and decades of fire suppression are increasing the risk of wildfire in many rural and remote communities across Canada. Yet limited research has been done to better understand how these communities experience wildfire risk. For this research, conducted prior to the catastrophic wildfire season of 2023 in British Columbia, we interviewed 20 key informants living in the village of Valemount in the Robson Valley, British Columbia, about their perceptions of wildfire risk, lived experiences, and management approaches. We further explored barriers to and opportunities for future wildfire management. Our findings show that although the direct risk of wildfire impacting the village is increasing, participants mostly focused on the indirect impacts of wildfires such as power outages and the health effects of wildfire smoke. Previous experiences with these impacts, combined with a dependency on regionally managed power systems and limited transport infrastructure, were key catalysts for taking action within the village. However, several barriers, including a lack of community engagement in wildfire fighting, have impeded proactive wildfire management. Participants emphasized the need for increased support for local FireSmart initiatives and legislative changes to enable resident participation in fire suppression and to improve village preparedness. This study enhances our understanding of wildfire impacts on rural communities and outlines strategies to strengthen future wildfire management and resilience.