The B.C. government says it is supporting new technology aimed at reducing wildfires started by lightning, a leading cause of large and hard‑to‑control blazes across the province, including in northern regions like the B.C. Peace.
According to the province, a field trial is underway using artificial‑intelligence‑enabled technology designed to improve forecasting and help reduce lightning‑ignited wildfires.
The project involves B.C.‑based technology and is being tested to better understand how lightning activity can be predicted and managed.
Wildfires sparked by lightning are a major concern in vast, remote areas of the province, where fires can grow quickly before crews are able to respond.
The 2023 Donnie Creek wildfire occurred north Sikanni Chief Canyon Park and is the largest recorded fire in BC history. Lightning was responsible for that and many other significant wildfires in recent years.
The province says supporting home‑grown technology is part of a broader effort to protect communities, infrastructure, and the economy, while also helping reduce the costs and impacts associated with wildfire response.
The field trial is part of B.C.’s wider focus on innovation, emergency preparedness, and wildfire risk reduction as temperatures rise and fire seasons become longer and more unpredictable.