The B.C. Government is moving ahead with a new wildfire research centre at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, that will focus on the mitigation and adaptation to the effects of future wildfire seasons.

Premier David Eby says the new centre at TRU’s Institute of Wildfire Science, Adaptation and Resiliency is a “flagship recommendation” from his Expert Task Force on Emergencies.

“This centre will offer everything from basic training all the way through to post-doctoral work on fire behaviour and science, so that we have the full range of expertise right here in British Columbia,” Eby said.

“This will be a first of its kind centre in North America, where people can earn credits for this kind of educational work, and this training towards an undergraduate degree.”

Eby says the new centre will enhance the training capacity at the BC Wildfire Service, which will transition some of its existing training programs and courses into the centre’s new curriculum. It is expected that more than a 1,000 workshops will be offered a year by 2028-29.

TRU says the new institute and the new wildfire training and education centre will build on an existing fire science lab as well as the provincially funded Innovation Research Chair “to form a world-class Wildfire Learning, Research and Innovation District at TRU.”

“Being part of a broader, collaborative effort with the BC Wildfire Service is a great honour and we look forward to working side by side on initiatives that contribute to building a safer, more resilient future for our communities,” TRU President Brett Fairbairn said.

“This partnership reinforces TRU’s commitment to leading world-class research, training and innovation to improve how British Columbians adapt to living with wildfires.”

The centre will offer “comprehensive wildfire training and education programs” covering things like basic skills training and learning in the wildfire field before eventually developing and offering academic diploma and degree programs in the fields of wildfire and emergency management disciplines.

The programs will be designed this year, with courses beginning as soon as 2025, with plans to also develop a state-of-the-art training facility and building.

“Last year was the most devastating wildfire season on record, and it’s clear we need to do more to keep people safe from the impacts of climate change,” said Forests Minister Bruce Ralston said. “We have some of the most skilled, professional and dedicated teams of wildland firefighters in the world.”

“Through this first-of-its-kind centre in North America, we are taking action to grow our local contingent of wildland firefighters, provide them with cutting-edge science and technology, and support their long-term career development in B.C.”