How controlled burns can prevent future fires (when conducted by professionals)
Fighting fire with fire: How controlled burns can help forests
As the Okanagan prepares for another intense summer wildfire season, fire crews are working tirelessly to stay ahead of nature. However, instead of using water, they are employing matches.
In early 2026, the University of British Columbia's Okanagan (UBCO) campus launched the Canadian Prescribed Fire Training Program. With an $8 million grant, the team has developed a program that trains fire practitioners and land managers across Canada on how to safely use prescribed burns as a tool for forest protection.
In the video above, The Weather Network's Mia Gordon explains how controlled fires can manage forest fuel, prevent devastating wildfires, and promote the growth of native species over invasive ones.