Located near Ashcroft, BC, Honour Ranch is a sanctuary dedicated to the mental health and well-being of veterans, military members, first responders, and emergency personnel. Operated by the Honour House Society, the Ranch provides a peaceful, restorative setting where front-line workers can access mental health support, peer connection, and recovery programming.

A Wildfire Wake-Up Call

In recent years, Honour Ranch has faced the growing threat of wildfires. This danger became all too real in 2021 when a fast-moving wildfire reached the very edge of their property. Flames came dangerously close to consuming the entire facility. This near-tragedy became a turning point for the Ranch as the staff saw how vulnerable rural properties can be and the importance of taking proactive steps to reduce wildfire risk.

“ If a fire comes through the timber, it doesn’t matter who you are, what you are, what’s in the way, it’ll take you out,” says David Hodgson, a volunteer property manager at Honour Ranch. “It has no respect for life, nature, anything. It just moves forward, and when it goes out the other side, there’s nothing left. So the only way to have it respect you is to respect it. And prepare for it.”

Taking Action with FireSmart

Following that close call, Honour Ranch transformed its approach to wildfire mitigation. They embraced a wide array of FireSmart strategies aimed at better protecting the property and ensuring it remains a safe space for those who rely on it.

Some of the key changes include:

• Removing flammable vegetation around buildings and high-risk areas
• Paving over grassy zones to eliminate easily ignitable fuel sources
• Choosing fire-resistant building materials for future renovations and new structures

Alan Waterman, board member for Honour Ranch, reflected on how FireSmart has been so valuable for Honour Ranch. “FireSmart has been great in giving us advice as to what we should be doing around here. They offer retreats right here for wildfire fighters to help them heal. With the increased fire activity over the last few years, they need some downtime in order to process what they’ve been through, and that’s why we’re here for them as well.”

These FireSmart practices are especially relevant for rural properties across British Columbia, where the risks of wildfire can be amplified by limited firefighting resources, longer emergency response times, and dense surrounding vegetation. What Honour Ranch has accomplished shows that properties in remote or high-risk areas can take manageable, proactive steps to significantly improve safety. Their work offers a practical blueprint that other landowners can adapt, whether by reducing fuel load or rethinking landscaping choices.

Serving Those Who Serve

Honour Ranch was created as a place of healing for veterans, first responders, and emergency personnel—people who often carry invisible wounds from a lifetime of service. At the ranch, guests find a quiet space where they’re understood. It offers mental health support, peer-based recovery programs, and the kind of calm, natural setting that allows for deep rest and reflection. 

Retired Fire Chief Tim Armstrong understands firsthand the importance of a refuge like Honour Ranch. “I can honestly say, as a fire chief who’s gone through burnout myself in the past, the work they do here at Honour House Ranch for the military, for our policing, for our paramedics, for our people in the fire service, it’s incredible. I’m proud to have this in my backyard.”

That’s why FireSmart matters so much here. As wildfires become more intense and more frequent, it’s essential that the spaces built to support mental health are resilient themselves. By becoming FireSmart, Honour Ranch is ensuring that its doors remain open to those who need it most.

David echoes this sentiment. “I’m happy to be able to help put this ranch together so that it’ll help the people coming behind me. I’ll be here as long as I can because it’s therapy for me. This is heaven on earth right here.”

A Model for Resilient Communities

Wildfire preparedness is not reserved for municipalities or government agencies. Every property, especially those in high-risk areas, has a role to play. By integrating FireSmart principles into its daily operations and long-term planning, the Ranch shows what’s possible for rural properties across BC. 

Their approach reflects the FireSmart ethos: practical, science-based steps that reduce risk and empower communities. Whether it’s clearing gutters, removing fuel, or thinking differently about landscaping, small changes add up—and they can make all the difference.

As BC experiences longer, more intense wildfire seasons, it’s never been more urgent to assess your own level of preparedness. Ask yourself: What steps have I taken to protect my home, property, and community? What more can I do?

FireSmart provides the tools, knowledge, and support to help you take meaningful action—no matter where you live. Just like Honour Ranch, your efforts can help protect not only what you own, but what you value most: safety, peace of mind, and the people who matter.

Learn MoreVisit FireSmartBC.ca/prepare to explore FireSmart principles and resources you can use to protect your property. To learn more about Honour Ranch and the Honour House Society, visit honourhouse.ca.

Creating a wildfire-resilient province through FireSmart is an ambitious goal; one we recognize can’t be achieved alone. Accomplishing our mission takes more than a village. It takes all of us, through widespread participation, advocacy, and action from individuals, businesses, and government entities alike. When we collaborate, we can make a significant impact in helping reduce wildfire risk and protecting communities across British Columbia. 

Partnering with organizations that share our values is critical, and the insurance industry is a key ally in advancing wildfire preparedness. With this goal in mind, The FireSmart BC Wildfire Mitigation Program (WMP), formerly our Home Partners Program, collaborates with insurance companies to expand our reach and incentivize homeowners to FireSmart their properties. A key example is FireSmart’s partnership with BCAA.

FireSmart BC Partners with BCAA

Since 2023, FireSmart BC has partnered with leading insurance provider BCAA in a program that’s amplified our reach and helped ensure more homeowners and communities have access to essential resources. If your insurance policy is through BCAA, you may be eligible for cost savings.

Property owners who complete the assessment through the Wildfire Mitigation Program can receive $100 off their BCAA Home Insurance policy. After completing all the recommended mitigation actions, they can also receive an additional 5% off their policy. 

Partnering with BCAA has strengthened our connection with communities across the province, improving wildfire resiliency in at-risk regions. In addition to offering cost incentives, BCAA is investing $250,000 annually into wildfire prevention and preparedness with FireSmart BC, including resource development, community outreach, and wildfire resilience initiatives. 

Find out if your community is participating in the Wildfire Mitigation Program and book your Home Assessment today. 

Partnering for a More Resilient Province

Collaboration is the key to our success. In addition to partnering with insurance companies, FireSmart BC collaborates with Indigenous and non-Indigenous non-profits, garden centres and hardware stores, schools and educational organizations, wildfire mitigation and climate change organizations, and tourism companies. A few of our other partnering organizations include the Co-operators, Nature Kids BC, and various home and garden centres across BC. Interested in partnering with FireSmart BC? Please connect with us by reviewing our Partnership Package and completing our Intake Form.

At FireSmart BC, collaboration is at the heart of our mission to create a safer province. Partnering with organizations that share our values is critical—and the insurance industry is a key ally in advancing wildfire preparedness.

Since 2023, FireSmart BC has partnered with BCAA to strengthen wildfire resilience across British Columbia. This partnership focuses on expanding access to wildfire education and resources, especially in remote, rural, and high-risk areas. By combining expertise and resources, FireSmart BC and BCAA are empowering homeowners and communities to take proactive steps toward greater safety in the face of wildfires.

Partnership Overview

The BCAA FireSmart BC initiative combines resources to promote wildfire resilience, increase FireSmart awareness, and engage communities in prevention efforts. The partnership revolves around three key areas of impact:

1. Community Outreach: Providing guidance and support to at-risk and remote communities to help them establish and sustain FireSmart BC programs.
2. Resource Development: Supporting the development and distribution of tailored FireSmart resources.
3. Community Grants: Providing grants to launch or enhance existing FireSmart initiatives, including funding for mitigation actions outlined in the Wildfire Mitigation Assessment.

These pillars ensure that British Columbians not only understand the risks wildfires pose but also have the knowledge and tools needed to mitigate those risks effectively.

Wildfire Mitigation Program

A centrepiece of the initiative is the Wildfire Mitigation Program, formerly known as the Home Partners Program. This research-based service provides free home assessments, helping residents identify specific actions they can take to reduce wildfire risks. The program has seen remarkable success in guiding homeowners toward meaningful changes, while also making them eligible for discounts on BCAA Home Insurance.

Individuals participating in the Wildfire Mitigation Program not only make their properties safer but can also save money. For BCAA customers, completing a free Wildfire Mitigation Assessment and implementing the recommendations can earn homeowners discounts on BCAA Home Insurance. Other insurance companies may also offer savings for those who complete a FireSmart certification or assessment.

By participating in a wildfire mitigation assessment, residents gain access to valuable tools, resources, and expert guidance. These benefits, along with potential insurance discounts, make it easier for homeowners to take meaningful and cost-effective steps toward wildfire preparedness. 

Community Outreach

One of the most impactful aspects of the partnership is its focus on community outreach. The BCAA FireSmart BC partnership has made significant strides in supporting several Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. This includes organizing events and workshops to engage and educate communities about wildfire risks and FireSmart practices.

A Case Study: Lillooet Tribal Council

A standout example of outreach success is the collaboration with the Lillooet Tribal Council. After working one-on-one with local leaders to determine the community’s specific needs, FireSmart BC and the First Nations’ Emergency Services Society (FNESS) identified a desire to involve local youth in wildfire education and prevention. Together, they delivered engaging presentations, teaching youth essential FireSmart principles and involving them in hands-on mitigation efforts.

This initiative expanded further when the Xaxli’p First Nation Emergency Program Coordinator organized a community FireSmart event. This gathering not only provided practical support for elders by protecting their homes but also fostered community involvement in wildfire safety efforts.

Kate Todoruk, FireSmart BC’s Outreach Coordinator, reflected on the success of these efforts. “I’m thrilled to see our team connecting with diverse communities across BC. These conversations are leading to real progress in wildfire mitigation and community safety.”

BCAA’s Contributions

BCAA’s support has helped advance FireSmart BC’s mission. Their commitment to community safety and wildfire preparedness has amplified the program’s reach, ensuring more homeowners and communities have access to essential resources.

This collaboration highlights the power of partnerships. As a trusted name in BC, BCAA has increased visibility to FireSmart initiatives, making it easier to connect with communities across the province.

Next Steps for Homeowners

The initiative between FireSmart BC and BCAA is a powerful example of collaboration in action. Together, we’ve made significant strides in helping British Columbians prepare for and reduce wildfire risks. From promoting free home assessments to community outreach programs, these efforts are making a real difference in protecting homes and lives.

We encourage all BC residents to take advantage of the resources and programs available through FireSmart BC. First steps can include:

• Confirming if your community is participating in the Wildfire Mitigation Program and scheduling a free Wildfire Mitigation Home Assessment.
• Confirming if your insurance provider offers financial incentives for completing a Home Assessment or obtaining certification through the Wildfire Mitigation Program.
• Taking one of our free courses to learn how to make your property FireSmart.
• Contacting your local FireSmart Representative to find out about workshops and events in your community, as well as grants available to implement FireSmart solutions.

There are many ways to get involved and help build wildfire resilience. By taking steps to become FireSmart, you can help protect your home, your community, and your province.We invite insurance providers and organizations to visit our partnerships page and submit a partnership intake form if you are interested in collaborating with FireSmart BC to help build a more wildfire resilient British Columbia.

When it comes to preparing your home and your family, it can be difficult to determine where to direct your efforts. Fortunately, the right resources—such as guides and checklists—can make this process much easier and faster. That’s why we collaborated with PreparedBC to create the Emergency Wildfire Preparedness Checklist. 

The Emergency Wildfire Preparedness Checklist

The Emergency Wildfire Preparedness Checklist is a valuable resource that clearly outlines crucial steps that should be completed before a wildfire emergency. While many of these steps should be completed well in advance, some actions can be completed as last-minute steps to increase the resilience of your property. That said, if you are ever ordered to evacuate by local authorities, you must do so immediately. 

The checklist highlights the most important tasks first, focusing on the safety and wellbeing of those within the home. It then outlines some effective actions that can be completed to increase the resilience of the home itself, significantly reducing the risk of structural damage from wildfire. Completing each step on this list will help to ensure that you, your family, your pets, and your property are as prepared as possible for a wildfire emergency. 

Created in Collaboration With PreparedBC

We were proud to partner with PreparedBC to create this checklist and support residents across the province in their planning and mitigation efforts. PreparedBC is a one-stop shop for preparedness information that provides various resources to help people get prepared for wildfires and other hazards that could happen near them.

PreparedBC resources make it easy to create an emergency plan, build an emergency kit, and access vital emergency support services. They also provide helpful information and tips via their social media channels and their Emergency Management in BC blog posts, giving residents the knowledge they need to stay safe during an emergency.

Essential Evacuation Considerations

As a leader in emergency preparedness, PreparedBC was instrumental in creating the first column of the Emergency Wildfire Preparedness Checklist. Here, we outline some important steps that should be completed before a wildfire emergency threatens your property. 

First, you’ll need to create an emergency plan and review it with every member of your home. Creating a home emergency plan is one of the best ways to prepare, as it ensures that the people you live with know what to do, where to go, and who to call in case of an emergency. Thankfully, creating an emergency plan has never been easier. Use the online interactive Emergency Ready Plan or the recently updated fill-in-the-blanks home emergency plan to complete a comprehensive plan.

Next, you’ll need to gather important emergency supplies that you can easily take with you in case you need to evacuate. This can be accomplished by preparing a grab-and-go bag for everyone in your home, including your pets. Contents for these bags typically include food, water, clothing, a flashlight, a first aid kit, prescriptions, and an emergency blanket. Having these supplies ready to go will save you valuable time in the event of an emergency. 

Once your emergency plan and supplies have been addressed, you should pre-register for Emergency Support Services (ESS) and follow the registration instructions to create a profile through the BC Services Card app. ESS is a provincial program that provides temporary support for accommodation, food, and other necessities for people who are unable to meet those needs when they’re evacuated. Registering now means one less thing to worry about if you’re evacuated due to a nearby wildfire. 

It’s also a good idea to check your insurance policy’s coverage, as you may be able to access more support through your insurance than what is available from ESS. Finally, connect with friends and family who may be able to provide a place to stay if an evacuation order is issued. This will help ensure local accommodation is available for those who have no other option.

Address Your Surroundings

Once you’ve completed all of the items in the first column, it’s time to move on to the second section. Here, you’ll focus your attention on your home and your yard to increase resilience and reduce the risk of structural damage from wildfire. Some key tasks to complete include:

• Removing all leaves, pine needles, and other debris from your roof and gutters.
• Mowing all grass within 10 metres of your home to a height of 10 centimetres or less.
• Clearing all dead plants, leaves, and weeds within 10 metres of your home. Be sure to maintain a 1.5 metre non-combustible zone around your home and deck as well.
• Moving all combustible items within a 10 metre radius of your property into your home or garage. Combustible items include propane tanks, doormats, toys, patio furniture, cushions, decorations, firewood, and potted plants.
• Removing all combustible materials around your stationary propane tank (if you have one).
• Clearing all vegetation and debris along both sides of your fence and securing your gate in an open position. 

While these tasks may seem simple, they could be the difference that helps your home survive a wildfire. Unless you’ve been ordered to evacuate, it’s never a bad time to cross these items off your list.

Check Around the House

After completing these tasks, it’s time to move on to the third and final column of the checklist. Please note that most of these items are meant to be completed before evacuating and extra consideration should be given if your residence is placed under an evacuation alert. Here, you’ll direct your efforts to other key areas of your property, such as vents, windows, and air conditioning units. The purpose of these efforts is to prevent embers from entering your home. Some of the most important actions to complete before evacuating include:

• Ensuring all vents on the home are operating correctly (not damaged or poorly attached). Cover dryer vents and other wall-mounted air openings with plywood or non-combustible tape. Don’t forget to remove these covers when you return home. 
• Moving all cardboard boxes and other easily ignited materials away from attic or crawl space vents/openings. 
• Turning off your air conditioning unit and closing all doors, garage doors, windows, and skylights. Do not turn off your gas unless directed to do so or unless you suspect a gas leak. 

While each item in this list is important, they should only be completed after the steps in the other columns and only if you have time before evacuating. 

Even if you don’t believe your property is at risk, it’s worth taking the time to use this checklist and prepare. Every step you take now will benefit you in the event of an unforeseen emergency. Remember, preparedness is not just about having a plan—it’s about taking proactive action. This wildfire season, stay informed and stay prepared so you can stay safe.

An Important Acknowledgement

Before exploring the events, insights, and lessons learned from the Summit, we acknowledge, with gratitude, that the event took place on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, part of the Dakelh (Carrier) peoples territory. We are truly grateful to have received a traditional welcome message from Councillor Robert Gagnon of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation to kick off the training and conference portions of the Summit. We also want to thank the UHNBC Prince George Traditional Drummers for their welcome ceremony that took place on day two of the conferences. 

This Year’s Theme

Our theme for this year was Recover, Rebuild, Prepare. As BC continues to recover from the worst wildfire season on record, we wanted to bring together more than 700 firefighting professionals, FireSmart experts, and Indigenous, municipal, and community leaders to review the lessons learned from 2023 alongside the latest research, technologies, and best practices to help regions and communities prepare for another challenging wildfire season. Since collaboration and sharing information will be critical in keeping BC communities safe, the Summit was designed to serve as a valuable opportunity to achieve both objectives. 

With so many keynote speaker presentations, expert panels, breakout sessions, workshops, and training programs, the Summit provided value for all attendees. Since there was so much packed into five days, we wanted to take a moment to highlight some of the key events that made this event such a success. 

Training Sessions

This year, the Summit kicked off with two days of hands-on training for wildfire professionals. Here, courses were divided into leadership and operations categories, allowing participants to select the training best suited to their role. Training session topics included:

• Task Force/Strike Team Leader
• Emergency Operations Centre
• Structure Protection Base/Staging Manager
• Large Water Supply Operations (Structure Protection)
• Wildland Structure Protection Program
• Wildland Firefighter – 1 “Train the Trainer”
• Engine Boss
• Wildfire Operations “Boots on the Ground”

Keynote Presentations

There were a total of five keynote speaker presentations at the 2024 Wildfire Resiliency and Training Summit, each focusing on a different topic from the world of wildfire. Presentations included:

Fire Weather 101

This presentation was delivered by Matt MacDonald, Lead Fire Weather Forecaster for the Predictive Services Unit of the BC Wildfire Service. Here, he explained how weather conditions create and drive wildland fire environments. Matt also outlined the basics of fire meteorology and the Fire Behaviour Prediction System to enable structural firefighters to more effectively aid in the response to wildland fires.  

Achieving Resilience in the Face of Fire

As the Wildfire Prevention Officer for the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables in Nova Scotia, Kara McCurdy provided some unique insights into wildfire resilience. After reflecting on the difficulties experienced by Nova Scotia during the 2023 wildfire season, Kara explored how we might improve wildfire resiliency through out-of-the-box thinking and more collaborative approaches with communities. 

2023 Northwest Territories and the Way Forward

For this presentation, attendees heard from Westly Steed, the Wildfire Risk Management Coordinator for the Government of the Northwest Territories and Mike Westwick, the Manager of Prevention and Mitigation for the Government of the Northwest Territories. Like British Columbia, the Northwest Territories experienced the most severe wildfire season in their history in 2023. Westly and Mike give an overview of how they’re helping communities learn to live with wildfire by driving the seven FireSmart disciplines forward across the territory. 

Supporting Dynamic and Proactive Fire Management in British Columbia

In BC, four of the most impactful wildfire seasons on record have occurred within the past seven years. As wildfire impacts grow under a rapidly changing climate, we must learn how to proactively manage wildfires. Dr. Kira Hoffman, a Postdoctoral Researcher for the University of British Columbia and Bulkley Valley Research Centre explored how we might achieve this through her presentation. 

Wildland Fire Management in Canada

Wildland fires are a serious issue for all Canadians. That’s why Mike Norton, Director General of the Northern Forestry Centre for Natural Resources Canada provided an overview of the activities taking place to transform wildland fire management in Canada. This included insights into approaches centred around whole-of-society engagement and Government of Canada investments to support wildland fire response, prevention, and mitigation efforts. 

Expert Panels

In addition to the keynote presentations, there were five panel discussions throughout the duration of the Summit. Each panel offered an opportunity for open-forum discussion among topic experts as well as thorough Q&A sessions for attendees to learn more about important subjects. Panel topics included:

Fire Services and First Nations: Moving Forward in a Good Way

Through this panel, the First Nations’ Emergency Services Society outlined skills that support strong relationships between fire services and Indigenous communities during response efforts. 

Executive Panel: Recover, Rebuild, Prepare

Here, attendees heard from senior executives in emergency management organizations and local government as they discussed the recovery and rebuilding efforts following the unprecedented wildfires of 2023. 

FireSmart Marketing and Communications

This panel offered a variety of perspectives on the unique challenges and opportunities that come with marketing and communications campaigns for wildfire prevention, mitigation, and response. 

Community Recovery

What happens after a disaster has ended? This panel focused on community recovery efforts and featured insights from experts who have been through the recovery process themselves. 

Reflections on the Emergency Response in BC

The 2023 wildfire season was the most destructive in BC’s recorded history. Through this panel, emergency experts came together to share their experiences and discuss actionable recommendations for 2024. 

Breakout Sessions

Scheduled between keynote presentations and panel discussions, a variety of breakout sessions allowed attendees to learn more about important topics and collaborate with other professionals in their field. Key topics covered through the 20 breakout sessions included:

• Accessing FireSmart Community Funding & Support
• FireSmart for Rural Communities, Farms, and Ranches
• Practical Guidance to Strengthen Wildfire Resilience
• Fuel Treatment Research
• Defensible Building Design
• Collaborating for FireSmart Communities
• Insights on FireSmart Landscaping
• Starting FireSmart — Indigenous Community Project Guide
• BC’s New Emergency and Disaster Management Act
• Learning from Post-Fire Examinations

Recognizing Outstanding Individuals

In addition to being a place for wildfire professionals to collaborate, connect, and learn, the Wildfire Resiliency and Training Summit served as the perfect opportunity to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions in the world of wildfire resilience. To celebrate these individuals, the Summit featured two award presentations: one for the Lynn Orstad Award, and one for the inaugural BC Wildland Firefighter Awards. 

The Lynn Orstad Award

In memory of Lynn Orstad—a female trailblazer in wildfire risk mitigation—FireSmart BC, FireSmart Alberta, and Co-operators came together to recognize women who have contributed to furthering wildfire resiliency in their community, agency, or province. The Lynn Orstad Award – Women in Wildfire Resiliency is an annual award honouring women who have made significant contributions in wildfire resilience and advocacy efforts. This year, five outstanding women in the world of wildfire resilience were presented with the Lynn Orstad Award:

• Kelsey Winter — Manager of Wildfire Operations, FPInnovations
• Kara McCurdy — Wildfire Mitigation Program Manager, Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency
• Cathy MacKenzie — Wildfire Mitigation Specialist, First Nations’ Emergency Services Society
• Laura Stewart — FireSmart Specialist, Government of Alberta
• Melanie Stutt — Emergency Coordinator, Simpcw First Nation and Deputy Fire Chief, Chu Chua Volunteer Fire Department

The BC Wildland Firefighter Awards

In recognition of the critical role wildland firefighters play in keeping the province safe, FireSmart BC, the First Nations’ Emergency Services Society, and BC Wildfire Service partnered to create the new BC Wildland Firefighter Awards. Through these awards, we seek to recognize outstanding wildland firefighters every year. At this year’s Wildfire Resiliency and Training Summit, the inaugural awards were presented to:

• John Salewski — Wildfire Officer, BC Wildfire Service
• Dr. Sonja Leverkus — Founder and Senior Fire Lead, Fire WoRx
• Patrick Andrew — Crew Leader, Nicola Knights Unit Crew
• Darryl Adrian — Emergency Management Coordinator, Lillooet Tribal Council
• Chad Desjarlais — Crew Leader, Rider Ventures Ltd.

Reflecting on This Year’s Summit

With more than 700 firefighting professionals, FireSmart experts, and municipal, Indigenous, and community leaders in attendance, the 2024 Wildfire Resiliency and Training Summit was a massive success in terms of building teamwork, developing interagency cooperation, and sharing information related to wildfire resilience. According to our post-event survey, over 75% of attendees would strongly recommend attending the Summit to others. We were even fortunate enough to have MLA: Hon. Bruce Ralston—BC’s Minister of Forests—in attendance for a portion of the training sessions, where he was able to see the active field training and tour the Summit experience in Prince George. We’re grateful for this reception, and look forward to future Summits to further enhance the wildfire resilience of our communities.

As we continue to recover, rebuild, and prepare, we truly believe that the Wildfire Resiliency and Training Summit will make a significant difference in wildfire resilience throughout BC and beyond. In a field where collaboration is crucial, the Summit provides an excellent opportunity for people with different backgrounds, perspectives, and areas of expertise to come together, learn, connect, and share their knowledge in the pursuit of a more resilient future. 

Thank you to everyone who came together to make this event a reality. We hope to see even more professionals, experts, and leaders in attendance next year from April 12-16 for the 2025 Wildfire Resiliency and Training Summit in Penticton!

Malina Garner is a FireSmart Education and Outreach Coordinator for the First Nations’ Emergency Services Society (FNESS). In her free time, she enjoys beading beautiful jewellery. When she arrived at the summit in April sporting an original Ember the FireSmart Fox pin, she was peppered with questions and compliments. We sat down to ask Malina about the inspiration behind her jewellery, what motivates her work in wildfire safety, and her best advice this fire season.

One of five Ember the FireSmart Fox pins, handcrafted by Malina.

Before joining FireSmart BC, Malina was involved in fire safety as a volunteer firefighter in her Sun Peaks community. “I was working from home and looking for a way to get involved with my community. “I’ve always been motivated by challenges, and I like seeing how far I can push myself, so it seemed like a good fit. The longer I’m with the hall, the more I appreciate the type of people who volunteer their time and effort in this way. I’ve made some lifelong friends.” 

When Malina was introduced to FireSmart BC at a conference in Kamloops, she was instantly intrigued. “I hadn’t been exposed to such a comprehensive prevention program up to that point outside of the National Fire Protection Association, and to realize one was operating here in BC was incredible. I also had my eye on the First Nations’ Emergency Services Society (FNESS) after engaging with them at my previous job. When a role came up that combined the two, I jumped at it. I have been with the team for about 7 months and I love the work I do.”

Malina is of Denesųłiné and European ancestry and is a member of the Buffalo River Dene Nation in Saskatchewan. To work at an Indigenous-focused organization as an Indigenous woman has felt like coming home. “I have spent most of my life working within non-Indigenous organizations, and there is no substitute for working around people who get your humour and have similar life experiences. The environment that exists within FNESS is something I feel privileged to experience and contribute to.” As an Education and Outreach Coordinator, Malina works on the administrative side of program development as well as in the field hosting FireSmart training sessions for school children in First Nations communities.

While living in Saskatoon in her late teens, Malina’s mother took her to a beading class which sparked her interest. “Up until that point, I had only ever admired beadwork. When I started beading, it was so cathartic that I couldn’t stop. I think I missed handing in a university assignment altogether because I was so focused on finishing that little flower we were asked to make in that class.” Today, that same flower sits on her beading desk at home.

Malina’s exploration into making jewellery started with earrings. Since then, she’s branched into fine art pieces and recently finished her first portrait—a project that took 500+ hours and over a year to complete. She has experimented with different materials but favours glass Czech seed beads, which come in all cuts, shapes, and sizes. She created the Ember the FireSmart Fox pins to express her gratitude for the FNESS FireSmart team. “I have had such a positive work experience with my colleagues and supervisor, and I wanted to create a tangible way to showcase that appreciation. It’s not every day that you get to work with motivated and truly caring people.”

Malina made five pins in total: one for herself, one for each of her team members, and an extra pin she gifted to Vic Upshaw, FNESS’ Response Support Supervisor. Vic wore the pin on his hat during his panel session which kickstarted the conversation. The reception was overwhelmingly positive and everyone was wondering the same thing: will there be more? “So far, I haven’t planned on making more, and that’s mostly because I have never been a production beader. Some artists are incredibly talented at producing large quantities of beadwork in a short time. I am not one of those people.”

Rather than serving as a means to an end, beading is a way for Malina to relax. “I can sit in the same position for hours if I am making art. It helps me process my day and how I feel about things. There is a requirement in Indigenous culture to keep your energy good when you are making things for other people. You must focus your love, gratitude, and goodwill into pieces, otherwise they will not be good gifts. Making art is a gratitude practice for me; it allows me to shift my perception of things back into positive places. If I can’t be in a good headspace, I won’t allow myself to make art.” 

During difficult times, beading allows Malina to process and express her emotions. “When I make jewellery or art of any kind, I try to put something of myself into it. Whatever emotion or inspiration that I am feeling at the time tends to end up in there. If I’m in a great place emotionally, my pieces are joyful and bright. When I am sad, my pieces are sad. I made a set of earrings and a necklace when I was dealing with deep grief, and I used them in conjunction with a photographer up in Sun Peaks to work through the grief that I couldn’t move through any other way. I suppose that is a way to signal where I’m at to the world, but messages in my art are mostly for me.”

Malina doesn’t plan on selling her jewellery at the moment, but she assures her FireSmart family that if she changes her mind, they will be the first to know. “I can’t create good work if it doesn’t have special value to me, so if I do end up making pieces to sell down the line, they will all be unique.” In the meantime, she is working on a pair of gauntlet-style gloves and plans to make a full set of moccasins. 

This wildfire season, Malina urges people to FireSmart their homes. “Your community is irreplaceable, so look after your own house first, then do what you can to look after your neighbours. During a disaster, you will rely on the people around you, and after a disaster happens, communities never return to exactly how they were. If you can prevent a disaster, do so.”Learn how to FireSmart your property in a few simple steps with the FireSmart BC Begins at Home Guide.