Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations - Wildfire Management Branch

Interface Fires & Safety FAQ

What is an "urban interface fire"?

The wildland/urban interface is the geographical point where the diverse values of the wilderness and urban development meet. In the interface, structures and vegetation are sufficiently close that a wildfire may spread to structures or a structural fire may ignite trees and vegetation.

Interface fire Each year in B.C., we have several close calls involving wildfires and homes, any of which have the potential to cause major property loss.

Due to the complex nature of interface fires, a multi-agency response is usually required. Local fire departments, B.C. Forest Service, RCMP, B.C. Ambulance Service, and the Provincial Emergency Program may become involved. These agencies form a unified command structure to determine objectives, identify strategies, establish communication links and assign tasks and functions to protect life and property.

The B.C. Forest Service has entered into many mutual aid protection agreements with local fire departments. In times of need, the B.C. Forest Service will assist local fire departments and local fire departments will respond in kind.

More information is found on the following page:

How can I protect my home and property from wildfire threat?

The answer is found on the following page:

In February 2003, the Auditor General released a "Follow-up of Performance Report, Managing Interface Fire Risks." What progress is the ministry making on implementing the partially implemented recommendations?

Ministry should formalize, in legislation, its response priorities to the protection of human life, property and natural resources:

  • A new Wildland Fire Act was prepared over the last two years to be introduced this fall that will address response priorities.

Ministry should continue to have a significant role in developing and delivering programs to raise community awareness about interface fire risks, and formalize plans for doing this work:

  • The ministry helped develop a "FireSmart Manual" to assist communities in determining measures to protect them from wildfire.
  • The ministry has implemented a standard fire prevention planning template to ensure the consistent application of fire prevention measures in dealing with communities.
  • The ministry developed the "Home Owners FireSmart Manual" to recommend prevention measures to protect homes.

Ministry should complete hazard mapping of unorganized areas of the province over a reasonable time period, with emphasis on high and moderate risk areas:

  • The ministry continues to map moderate to high hazard areas in unorganized portions of the province.
  • This is a continuous effort as vegetation grows and communities expand.

Ministry should work with local fire departments to address concerns with ministry’s operating guidelines:

  • The ministry has a cooperation agreement with local fire departments.
  • The ministry meets annually with the Fire Chiefs Association of B.C. to discuss cooperation.
  • The ministry developed the S215 course, "Fire Operations in the Wildland Urban Interface."
  • Interagency training is conducted on an ongoing basis.

Ministry should work with local fire departments and emergency response staffs in high and moderate interface fire areas to improve the application of unified command.

  • Interface committees have been established in the Coast and in Kamloops and Kootenay areas to address unified command and other organizational issues. Other parts of the province work on a department-by-department basis.