As wildfires continue to devastate parts of Southern California, experts are pointing to critical lessons that British Columbians can learn from the continuing crisis in Los Angeles.
Article content
Article content
The most urgent takeaway: Neither B.C. nor L.A. has enough firefighters to meet the demands of increasingly extreme wildfire seasons.
In the L.A. area, several large wildfires are raging, fuelled by strong winds and persistent drought conditions, causing at least 11 deaths, destroying more than 10,000 structures — most of them homes — and forcing 130,000 people to evacuate.
With close to 2,000 firefighters stretched thin in L.A., including personnel from across the state and even out-of-state teams, José Martí, a professor of computer and electrical engineering at UBC, warns that a similar crisis could unfold in B.C. unless the province strengthens its wildfire management strategy.
“We do not have enough firefighters, and we’re seeing larger and larger fires, going uncontrolled in B.C. and now L.A.,” he said.
“With the reality of climate change, we can only reason to expect that difficult conditions like this will be ahead, and we have to anticipate and plan for this,” added Kevin Hanna, an associate professor of earth, environmental and geographic sciences at UBC.
While Hanna can’t predict exactly what 2025 will bring, he cautioned that B.C. should brace for increasingly severe wildfire seasons. These seasons start earlier, last longer and feature fires that are harder to control.
Article contentToggle full screen modePrevious Gallery Image
A home is engulfed in flames during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles County, California on Jan. 8, 2025.Photo by AFP Contributor#AFP /AFP via Getty Images
An apartment building burns during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles county, California on Jan. 8, 2025. Photo by JOSH EDELSON /AFP via Getty Images
Firefighters prepare to fight flames from inside Eliot Arts Magnet Middle School auditorium as the school burns during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles county, California on Jan. 8, 2025. Photo by JOSH EDELSON /AFP via Getty Images
A man walks past a fire-ravaged business after the Eaton Fire swept through Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Altadena, Calif.Photo by Ethan Swope /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Palisades Fire ravages a neighbourhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.Photo by Damian Dovarganes /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
A firefighter stands on top of a fire truck to battle the Palisades Fire while it burns homes on the Pacific Coast Highway amid a powerful windstorm on Jan. 8, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.Photo by Apu Gomes /Getty Images
Claudio and Kathleen Boltiansky embrace in their fire-ravaged neighbourhood after the Palisades Fire swept through in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.Photo by Etienne Laurent /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Flames from the Palisades Fire burn a home on January 8, 2025 in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood of Los Angeles, California. Photo by Eric Thayer /Getty Images
A dog barks as the Eaton Fire destroys a neigbhourhood Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, Calif.Photo by Ethan Swope /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Lebron Jones (centre) wipes his eyes while viewing his burned home during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles county, California on Jan. 8, 2025. Photo by JOSH EDELSON /AFP via Getty Images
Firefighters work the scene as an apartment building burns during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles county, California on Jan. 8, 2025. Photo by JOSH EDELSON /AFP via Getty Images
Visitors to the Santa Monica pier look out at smoke from a wildfire in the Pacific Palisades blows over the beach in Santa Monica, Calif., on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.Photo by Richard Vogel /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Flames from the Palisades Fire burn a home on Jan. 8, 2025, in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood of Los Angeles, California. Photo by Eric Thayer /Getty Images
A motorcyclist stops to look at a burning home during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles county, California on Jan. 8, 2025. Photo by JOSH EDELSON /AFP via Getty Images
Patients are evacuated from the Brighton Care Center during the Eaton Fire in Pasadena, California, on Jan. 8, 2025. Photo by JOSH EDELSON /AFP via Getty Images
Fire-ravaged businesses are seen after the Palisades Fire swept though in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.Photo by Eugene Garcia /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
This satellite image taken and released by Maxar Technologies on January 8, 2025 shows burned structures and active fire during the Palisades Fire along Pacific Coast Highway near Tuna Canyon Park in Malibu, California. Photo by Satellite image /©2025 Maxar Technologies
This colour infrared satellite image taken and released by Maxar Technologies on Jan. 8, 2025 shows homes and buildings burning on East Altadena Drive during the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California. Photo by Satellite image /©2025 Maxar Technologies
Firefighters battle flames from the Palisades Fire on Jan. 8, 2025 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Photo by Eric Thayer /Getty Images
The Palisades Fire burns a structure in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.Photo by Etienne Laurent /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
A man looks at his property destroyed by the flames of the Eaton Fire, before driving off, in Altadena, California, on Jan. 8, 2025. Photo by ROBYN BECK /AFP via Getty Images
A burned car sits next to the remains of a home destroyed during the Palisades Fire on Jan. 8, 2025 in Malibu, California.Photo by Eric Thayer /Getty Images
Firefighters battle the Palisades Fire as it burns structures in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.Photo by Eugene Garcia /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
California Governor Gavin Newsom (centre) surveys damage in Pacific Palisades with CalFire’s Nick Schuler (left) and Senator Alex Padilla, D-Calif., during the Palisades Fire Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Pacific Palisades, Calif.Photo by Jeff Gritchen /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hastings Ranch resident Patricia Vahdat (right) and a neighbour speak in front of another one of her neighbour’s home, which was completely destroyed by the Eaton fire in the Hastings Ranch community of Pasadena early Wednesday morning Jan. 8, 2025.Photo by Will Lester /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
A home burns during the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, on Jan. 8, 2025. Photo by ROBYN BECK /AFP via Getty Images
Police officers remove an eldery resident from her home during the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, on Jan. 8, 2025. Photo by ROBYN BECK /AFP via Getty Images
Cars destroyed by the Eaton Fire sit in the parking area of a burned auto shop on Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, California. Photo by Justin Sullivan /Getty Images
A firefighter douses flames as a liquor store burns during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles County, California on Jan. 8, 2025. Photo by JOSH EDELSON /AFP via Getty Images
Evacuees from the Palisades fire are seen at an evacuation and shelter center at Westwood Recreation Center in Los Angeles, California, on Jan. 8, 2025. Photo by AGUSTIN PAULLIER /AFP via Getty Images
Palm trees burned during the Palisades Fire are pictured on Jan. 8, 2025, in Malibu, California. Fueled by intense Santa APhoto by Eric Thayer /Getty Images
An ATM is damaged at a Bank of America branch after the Palisades Fire swept through in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.Photo by Etienne Laurent /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
A for sale sign remains as homes smolder during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles County, California on Jan. 8, 2025. Photo by JOSH EDELSON /AFP via Getty Images
A cupid statue stands in the rubble of a home destroyed by the Eaton Fire on Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, California. Photo by Justin Sullivan /Getty Images
Firefighters protect a structure as the Eaton Fire advances Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, Calif.Photo by Ethan Swope /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Trees sway in high winds as the Eaton Fire burns structures Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, Calif.Photo by Ethan Swope /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
A man walks in front of the burning Altadena Community Church, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in the downtown Altadena section of Pasadena, Calif.Photo by Chris Pizzello /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thick heavy smoke from wildfires passes over the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.Photo by Richard Vogel /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
A wildfire-ravaged property is shown after the Palisades Fire swept through in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.Photo by Damian Dovarganes /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
A man walks his bike among the ruins left behind by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.Photo by Damian Dovarganes /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Palisades Fire burns a residence in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.Photo by Ethan Swope /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Palisades Fire burns a residence in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.Photo by Etienne Laurent /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
A firefighter jumps over a fence while fighting the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. Photo by Ethan Swope /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Firefighters battle the Palisades Fire as it burns multiple structures in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.Photo by Ethan Swope /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Surfers Shaun Rosenberg (right) and Teal Greene take to the waves under a blackened sky from a wildfire in the Pacific Palisades, during the sunset in Santa Monica, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.Photo by Richard Vogel /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
A vehicle burns as the Palisades Fire advances in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.Photo by Ethan Swope /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
A person walks amid the destruction left behind by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. Photo by Jae C. Hong /AP
Homes bordering the Pacific Ocean are burned to the ground in the aftermath of the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. Photo by Jae C. Hong /AP
A VW van sits among burned out homes, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Malibu, Calif. Photo by Mark J. Terrill /AP
Fire crews battle the Kenneth Fire in the West Hills section of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. Photo by Ethan Swope /AP
The devastation from the Palisades Fire is seen from the air in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. Photo by Mark J. Terrill /AP
Cesar Plaza becomes emotional while looking at his home destroyed by the Eaton Fire in Altadena, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. Photo by Nic Coury /AP
Two people ride bicycles amid the destruction left behind by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. Photo by Jae C. Hong /AP
Water is dropped by helicopter on the Kenneth Fire in the West Hills section of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. Photo by Ethan Swope /AP
Next Gallery ImageToggle gallery captionsView All 54 Photos
1 of 54
Some B.C. wildfire experts argue that the province should prioritize preventive measures, such as fuel treatments and prescribed burning, to mitigate the risk and severity of future fires.
Martí, who is developing FireEdge — a technology designed to predict wildfire perimeter expansion in real-time — believes the main issue is a lack of resources and their effective use.
“Predicting the direction of wildfire spread is currently a guessing game, which means that immediate fire prevention and management techniques aren’t always as effective as they should be.”
On Thursday, the U.S. National Interagency Fire Center requested assistance from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, which deployed two CL-415 skimmer air tankers and flight crews to assist in Southern California.
Martí says that B.C. needs to shift from a volunteer-based firefighting model to a professional, full-time force. This transition would involve more formal training, including the use of emerging technologies such as predictive fire modelling and drone-assisted monitoring — tools essential for modern wildfire management.
B.C. has traditionally relied on mutual aid agreements with neighbouring provinces and even other countries. However, with climate change exacerbating fire risks across North America, Martí warns that this external support is no longer guaranteed.
“We need these personnel and resources to be permanent, so we can rely on them at any time and know they’ll be available,” he said.
In 2023, B.C. faced one of its most devastating wildfire seasons on record, with more than 1,600 fires burning across the province, scorching more than 600,000 hectares, and displacing thousands of residents. That same year, B.C. Wildfire Service had 2,000 firefighters and support staff, most of whom were seasonal workers trained to fight fires.
In recent years, the B.C. General Employees’ Union, which represents wildland firefighters, has also called on the province to offer permanent salaries to wildfire fighters and contractors, rather than paying them hourly.
On Saturday, B.C.’s forests minister says a crew from the province’s wildfire service left for California to help battle the wildfires ravaging the Los Angeles area.
Article content
Ravi Parmar said in a video posted to social media that the B.C. Wildfire Service’s crews were expected to touch down in Los Angeles late Saturday afternoon. It’s unclear how many firefighters were sent.
The fire crew was first promised by Premier David Eby, who committed the crew on Friday after a request from California’s Forestry and Fire Protection Department.