Across the globe, climate change is increasing the frequency of extreme wildfires and release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere: “the warming is feeding the warming”. In 2023, Canada experienced the worst wildfire season in recorded history, 15 million hectares burned, millions were affected by wildfire smoke, thousands were displaced, many people lost their homes, and ecosystems already under threat were disrupted.
British Columbia is on the frontlines of this fire story, it is a living lab where the challenges and solutions are being confronted, and researchers, practitioners, and communities are coming together to ask: how do we co-exist with wildfire? Transdisciplinary research, collaboration across Western and Indigenous knowledges, and commitment to decolonial landscape management practices are key.
The Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS) – a research network comprising Simon Fraser University, University of British Columbia, University of Northern British Columbia, and University of Victoria – has been funding and coordinating wildfire research regionally and internationally for many years. This session will bring leading researchers and practitioners together in conversation to share their insights and reflections. This interactive dialogue will focus on the importance of ‘good fire’ on the landscape and the shifts in perspective, policy, and planning that is required to create a new narrative that allows us to collectively navigate risk, recovery, and the future of climate and wildfire.
For a backgrounder on wildfire and climate issues, please watch the PICS Wildfire Carbon video here
If you are attending virtually, registration is open until November 7. To register for in person attendance please contact rsc@eventsmgt.com or on the day of event at the registration desk between 8:30 and 9:00am PT.
