The interface areas surrounding Nelson are a unique mix of land ownership including private, Crown, municipal, BC Parks, and RDCK. To ensure our communities are resilient to wildfire, collaboration between a number of stakeholders at different levels of government is essential. This encompasses local fire departments, land managers, local government representatives, and provincial entities like the BC Wildfire Service and BC Parks.

Recent Prescribed Burn Training Exercise

In October of 2024, Nelson Fire & Rescue Services (NFRS), in collaboration with the Regional District of the Central Kootenay (RDCK) and the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), successfully completed a joint prescribed burn and wildfire training exercise. This initiative was part of the City’s ongoing efforts to enhance wildfire response capabilities and reduce wildfire risk in our community.

The operation took place on a 0.7-hectare site above the Svoboda Road parking lot, north of Anderson Creek. Through the carefully managed burn, surface fuels were reduced, and responders had the opportunity to practice critical wildfire management techniques in a real-world scenario.

This interagency effort provided valuable hands-on training, fostering stronger coordination among NFRS, RDCK, and BCWS staff. By working closely together and utilizing each other’s equipment, the teams enhanced their ability to respond effectively to future wildfires.

Nelson Fire & Rescue Services extends its gratitude to the community for its cooperation during this vital exercise, which was made possible with support from the Columbia Basin Trust and the Province of BC. Initiatives like these are essential in building a resilient community that is better prepared for wildfire challenges.

For more information on prescribed fire, please visit Precribedfire.ca

Community FireSmart and Resiliency Committee

The Community FireSmart and Resiliency Committee (CFRC), formerly the Nelson and Area Wildfire Risk Reduction Committee (NAWRRC) acts as a vital bridge that unites key local partners with a shared vision rooted in the seven FireSmart principles. The CFRC's objective is to facilitate collaboration within the region to prepare for wildfires, complete mitigation work, and educate the community about wildfire preparedness.

Cross-Training

Recent wildfire events across the province have demonstrated the importance for municipal fire departments to be ready to work effectively with other agencies to manage wildfires. Nelson Fire & Rescue Services (NFRS) actively develops its capacity to handle these emergencies within the city by training with other departments and the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS).