B.C. was the first province in Canada to ban cultural burns with the Bush Fire Act of 1874 and individuals caught burning were subject to fines and sometimes arrest. This contributed to a loss of firekeeping knowledge and impacted the ecosystems and landscape we see today.

We now know the natural occurrence and the traditional application of fire by Indigenous peoples has been essential to maintaining balance in our forests. There are many benefits to ecosystems that are only achieved through the use of fire.

These benefits include:

• Public safety and wildfire risk reduction
• Preserving Indigenous cultural value
• Improved wildlife habitat
• Revitalized vegetation
• Protecting local economies
  
  

To learn more about prescribed and cultural burning visit HERE