As wildfires intensify across British Columbia (BC) and much of the world, a growing body of research is pointing to a powerful, time-tested solution: fire itself. A new report from the POLIS Wildfire Resilience Project at the University of Victoria urges a fundamental shift in how society views and manages fire. Titled “Beneficial Fire in British Columbia: An Exploration of How Fire Can Contribute to Wildfire Resilience,” the report emphasizes that not all fire is destructive some fire is essential.
This concept of beneficial fire marks a transformative approach to wildfire resilience. Beneficial fire refers to planned or naturally occurring wildland fires that improve ecosystem health without posing unacceptable risk to human communities. It includes cultural burning led by Indigenous communities, prescribed burns by land managers, and managed wildfires under controlled conditions.
For thousands of years, Indigenous Peoples across BC and beyond have stewarded the land using cultural burning low-intensity, controlled fires guided by deep traditional knowledge. These burns reduce the buildup of flammable materials, regenerate soil and plants, promote biodiversity, and maintain wildlife habitats. Fire, in this context, is a sacred, cultural, and ecological tool not an enemy.
Indigenous fire stewardship is guided by an intimate understanding of local ecosystems, weather patterns, and spiritual connections to the land. This traditional ecological knowledge, passed down through generations, is increasingly recognized as essential to reducing catastrophic wildfire risks and restoring balance to landscapes altered by decades of aggressive fire suppression.
The POLIS report calls for a whole-of-society approach to managing wildfires one that includes Indigenous leadership, improved governance, proactive strategies, and expanded public awareness. It outlines four key opportunities to advance beneficial fire: increasing the use of cultural and prescribed burns, strengthening local decision-making, improving knowledge sharing, and investing in community-based capacity.
One powerful insight from the report is that not all wildfires should be automatically suppressed. In areas where communities have taken precautions like FireSmart landscaping and infrastructure some wildfires can be allowed to burn under the right conditions. These natural burns often play a critical role in clearing excess vegetation, supporting nutrient cycling, and revitalizing ecosystems.
Yet, barriers remain. Many communities lack access to data, training, and policy support to safely implement beneficial fire. Coordination among governments, First Nations, and land managers is still evolving. But promising efforts are already underway. Indigenous governments across BC are reviving cultural burning practices, often in partnership with provincial and local authorities.
Indigenous practices play a crucial and increasingly recognized role in modern fire management. These practices often referred to as “cultural burning” are based on generations of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and a deep relationship with the land. Here are key roles Indigenous fire practices play:
1. Fuel Load Reduction
Cultural burning helps reduce the buildup of flammable vegetation (fuel loads), lowering the intensity of potential wildfires. These low-intensity fires are intentionally set under specific conditions to safely clear underbrush and prevent catastrophic wildfires.
2. Ecosystem Health and Biodiversity
Indigenous fire practices are often timed and placed to enhance biodiversity, promote the growth of useful plants, and maintain habitats for wildlife. Fire is used as a regenerative tool, supporting native species and restoring ecological balance.
3. Cultural and Spiritual Significance
Fire holds cultural, spiritual, and ceremonial value for many Indigenous communities. Cultural burns are often guided by traditional customs and are closely tied to community identity and ancestral knowledge.
4. Landscape Stewardship
Indigenous fire stewardship is based on observing changes in the land over time and adapting fire use accordingly. This long-term perspective supports resilient landscapes and more sustainable ecosystems.
5. Climate Adaptation
With rising wildfire risks due to climate change, Indigenous fire practices offer a proven model of adaptive land management. They align with modern goals of resilience and mitigation by reducing extreme fire risks.
6. Leadership in Co-Management
In many regions, Indigenous communities are leading collaborative fire management initiatives. They work with governments and agencies to reintroduce cultural burning on public lands, reclaim traditional fire stewardship roles, and share knowledge.
In summary, Indigenous fire practices are essential for restoring fire as a natural, beneficial process in ecosystems. Integrating these practices into provincial and national fire strategies is not only environmentally wise but also a step toward reconciliation and recognition of Indigenous rights and knowledge.