B.C. ministers tour UBCO wildfire research as drought risk rises in Okanagan

A B.C. government delegation visited UBC Okanagan this week to tour wildfire research, training and emerging technology aimed at improving fire detection, forecasting and response across the province.

The demonstration highlighted artificial intelligence-powered camera systems designed to detect smoke at the earliest stages of ignition, alongside low-cost, internet-connected weather sensors that provide more precise local fire-risk data than traditional forecasting networks.

Researchers also showcased Canada’s first national prescribed fire training program, which focuses on safely reintroducing controlled burns to reduce fuel buildup and strengthen long-term landscape resilience. Officials said the program is designed to support fire practitioners as wildfire seasons become more intense and complex.

The visit comes as the province warns the Okanagan is facing elevated wildfire risk this season due to severe drought conditions, with dry landscapes across the southern Interior increasing the potential for rapid fire growth.