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Flames from the Donnie Creek wildfire burn along a ridge top north of Fort St. John, British Columbia in July 2023. (The Associated Press)
Disaster Relief Funds

Federal support rolling out for response and recovery of B.C.’s 2024 wildfire season

Mar 6, 2025 | 10:28 AM

The Canadian Government has made funding available for work related to the 2024 wildfires in B.C.

The federal government said approximately one million hectares of land was burned in B.C.’s 2024 wildfire season, resulting in 7,000 residents having to evacuate, and the loss of homes, infrastructure, provincial recreation sites and trails, and range fencing.

To assist with the response and recovery costs from those fires, the federal government committed over $35 million through the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada’s (PacifiCan) Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements program.

“In the last few years, we have seen the effects of climate change increase the frequency of disasters,” Harjit Sajjan, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Emergency Preparedness, and Minister responsible for PacifiCan, said.

“This funding will help support British Columbia with its recovery and rebuilding efforts, as we work together to adapt to the impacts of climate change. Prioritizing our resiliency towards recurring disasters will help strengthen our adaptability and our ability to better recover.”

Through this support, the federal government will cover eligible disaster response and recovery expenses that had been submitted by the province. Those requests would have to indicate how the costs exceeded what the province could reasonably bear on its own.

“Wildfires last summer impacted many people and communities throughout British Columbia,” Kelly Greene, B.C.’s Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, said.

“This funding from the Government of Canada for damage to uninsurable infrastructure from large-scale climate emergencies is critical to helping support B.C.’s response and recovery and our ongoing work to build more resilient communities.”

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