Public Awareness and 
Understanding of Wildfires and
the FireSmart™ BC Program

Issues facing British Columbia today

92
92
92
88
91

British Columbians continue to believe the issue of wildfires is either an important issue or the most important issue facing BC.

Impact of wildfires

69

2 of 3 British Columbians believe that the frequency, scale, and severity of wildfires in British Columbia have increased.

78%

2021

66%

2022

83%

2023

75%

2024

Perceptions of wildfires in 2025

Hover over the bar graphs to learn more.

62
 4
24%

Strongly agree

38%

Somewhat agree

In terms of frequency and impact, wildfires are going to get worse before they get better.

83
 1
38%

Strongly agree

45%

Somewhat agree

If we all work together in BC, we can reduce the impact of wildfires on people and property.

58
7
25%

Strongly agree

33%

Somewhat agree

Climate change is the primary cause of the increase in wildfire outbreaks.

46
 8
11%

Strongly agree

35%

Somewhat agree

Wildfires are inevitable and are just something we have to come to learn to accept.

Who is responsible for mitigating the risks?

In 2024, more British Columbians believe the provincial government has a major responsibility to develop strategies and marshal the resources to mitigate the risks of wildfires in BC than any other group tested.

Click each bar to explore the data.

80

Provincial government has a major responsibility to mitigate wildfires.

81

2024

83

2023

70

Forestry industry has a major responsibility to mitigate wildfires.

73

2024

73

2023

68

Federal government has a major responsibility to mitigate wildfires.

67

2024

67

2023

50

Local communities have a major responsibility to mitigate wildfires.

56

2024

51

2023

39

Regional groups have a minor responsibility to mitigate wildfires.

44

2024

42

2023

40

Property & home owners have a minor responsibility to mitigate wildfires.

39

2024

40

2023

34

Insurance industry has a minor responsibility to mitigate wildfires.

2025 was the first year the insurance industry was surveyed

32

Indigenous groups have a minor responsibility to mitigate wildfires.

32

2024

32

2023

Provincial Government
80%
Forestry Industry
70%
Federal Government
68%
Local Communities
50%
Property/Home Owners
40%
Regional Groups
39%
Insurance industry
34%
Indigenous Groups
32%

Awareness and perceptions of FireSmart BC in 2025

Hover over the bar charts to explore the data.

59
 1
9%

Very familiar

26%

Somewhat familiar

24%

Heard of it but not familiar

41%

Never heard of it

British Columbians that have heard of FireSmart BC.

88
 5
47%

Very valuable

38%

Somewhat valuable

3%

Not very valuable

1%

Not valuable at all

11%

Don't know/prefer not to say

The majority believe FireSmart BC is valuable to the province and its citizens.

13

Have seen or heard of FireSmart BC’s mascot, Ember the FireSmart Fox.

Preparedness & home protection

British Columbians (63%) think they have a role to play in wildfire preparedness by protecting their homes. Once familiar with FireSmart BC that number significantly increases.

50%

Yes, there is a lot I can do

41%

Yes, there are a few things I can do

91

Those who are very familiar with FireSmart BC think there are at least a few things they can do to protect their home.

47

This compared with only 47% of those who are not aware of FireSmart BC

45%

Yes, there is a lot I can do

45%

Yes, there are a few things I can do

90

Those who are very familiar with FireSmart BC think there are at least a few things they can do to protect their home.

44

This compared with only 44% of those who are not aware of FireSmart BC

48%

Yes, there is a lot I can do

45%

Yes, there are a few things I can do

93

Those who are very familiar with FireSmart BC think there are at least a few things they can do to protect their home.

41

This compared with only 41% of those who are not aware of FireSmart BC

54%

Yes, there is a lot I can do

32%

Yes, there are a few things I can do

86

Those who are very familiar with FireSmart BC think there are at least a few things they can do to protect their home.

44

This compared with only 44% of those who are not aware of FireSmart BC

38%

Yes, there is a lot I can do

42%

Yes, there are a few things I can do

80

Those who are very familiar with FireSmart BC think there are at least a few things they can do to protect their home.

44

This compared with only 44% of those who are not aware of FireSmart BC

Informed about home protection

In fact, two-thirds have already sought or are at least likely to seek out information to protect their homes or properties.

48%

Already sought out info & guidance last year

25%

Very likely

15%

Somewhat likely

88

Those who are very familiar with FireSmart BC already have or are at least likely to seek out information to protect their home.

50

This compared with only 50% of those who are not aware of FireSmart BC.

32%

Already sought out info & guidance last year

44%

Very likely

14%

Somewhat likely

91

Those who are very familiar with FireSmart BC already have or are at least likely to seek out information to protect their home.

53

This compared with only 53% of those who are not aware of FireSmart BC.

54%

Already sought out info & guidance last year

19%

Very likely

6%

Somewhat likely

79

Those who are very familiar with FireSmart BC already have or are at least likely to seek out information to protect their home.

46

This compared with only 46% of those who are not aware of FireSmart BC.

60%

Already sought out info & guidance last year

19%

Very likely

7%

Somewhat likely

86

Those who are very familiar with FireSmart BC already have or are at least likely to seek out information to protect their home.

43

This compared with only 43% of those who are not aware of FireSmart BC.

41%

Already sought out info & guidance last year

30%

Very likely

11%

Somewhat likely

82

Those who are very familiar with FireSmart BC already have or are at least likely to seek out information to protect their home.

47

This compared with only 47% of those who are not aware of FireSmart BC.

Significant regional differences in 2025

72
6

Northwest

70
1

Prince George

73
0

Southeast

60
3

Coastal

81
5

Cariboo

71
1

Kamloops

64
3

Northwest

41
7

Prince George

64
4

Southeast

27
4

Coastal

69
12

Cariboo

64
2

Kamloops

84
3

Northwest

80
6

Prince George

89
1

Southeast

84
4

Coastal

84
9

Cariboo

92
2

Kamloops

51
10

Northwest

39
0

Prince George

50
5

Southeast

23
2

Coastal

53
5

Cariboo

52
4

Kamloops

Methodology

To reflect the population of British Columbia, the data was weighted by Fire Centre, age, and gender in line with the most recent data from Statistics Canada.

The 2025 survey was conducted in English between November 12th and 28th, 2025, and took an average of 13 minutes to complete. Where applicable, data from the 2024, 2023, 2022 and 2021 studies have been included Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding.

Research by Earnscliffe Strategies.