In northern British Columbia, the Cheslatta Carrier Nation is turning to longstanding Indigenous fire knowledge and proactive land management to defend its territory from increasingly destructive wildfires.
Facing a Rising Threat
The Cheslatta community, located in a remote and heavily forested region, has witnessed a dramatic increase in wildfire activity over the past decade. Nearly half of its territory has been scorched since 2010. Homes are scattered with dense forest in between, creating unique challenges for fire prevention.
In response, community leaders are turning to forestry as a primary method to reduce flammable material near homes. But beyond mechanical solutions, they are also exploring time-honored Indigenous fire practices to restore and protect the landscape.
Cultural Burns: Indigenous Fire Management for Modern Challenges
Cultural burning—also called prescribed or controlled burning—has been used by Indigenous communities for thousands of years to manage forest health, encourage growth of specific plants, and reduce the risk of catastrophic fires. These low-intensity burns remove dry brush and dead vegetation that serve as fuel for wildfires.
Key aspects of cultural burns include:
- Timing: Usually conducted in spring or fall under cool, moist conditions.
- Planning: Burn plans often take months or years to prepare and are coordinated with wildfire agencies.
- Collaboration: Burns are frequently conducted with support from provincial fire services and researchers.
Recent initiatives across British Columbia have highlighted the role of these practices. In 2024 alone, 23 of the province’s 48 prescribed burns were done in partnership with Indigenous communities, covering over 3,400 hectares.
Combining Science and Indigenous Knowledge
Forest technicians and researchers from institutions like the University of British Columbia are collaborating with First Nations to study and refine fire management strategies. These joint efforts are helping to merge scientific research with generations of Indigenous ecological knowledge.
This integrated approach supports not only fire mitigation but also broader environmental goals, such as promoting biodiversity and improving habitat for wildlife.
Near Future and Pieces of the Past
The Cheslatta Carrier Nation is currently in the planning stages of implementing a cultural burn in its territory. While specific locations and dates are still being determined, the urgency is clear. In one recent fire event, 10,000 hectares were consumed in a single day—an outcome the community is eager to prevent in the future.
As wildfire seasons in Canada continue to intensify, the revival of Indigenous fire knowledge offers a path forward. For communities like Cheslatta, the solution to modern wildfire threats may lie in established knowledge applied with care and precision.