Nations on the front lines of fire

Special report

Nations on the front lines of fire

First Nations are reeling from the country's worst wildfire season on record. Canada's National Observer tracks the toll evacuations are having on these communities and what is being done to protect them. Produced in collaboration with the Institute for Sustainability, Education and Action.

13 Articles

A First Nation burned down — now it's building back bigger

A year ago yesterday, a wildfire tore through a First Nation in the interior of British Columbia, destroying 32 structures. And yet, Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw is celebrating.

Nations on the front lines of fire

Matteo Cimellaro

August 19th 2024

Smiles and laughter as a Nation rebuilds

In Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw First Nation, where last summer fires in B.C. destroyed homes and buildings, elders are smiling and laughing again.

Nations on the front lines of fire

Matteo Cimellaro

News

May 1st 2024

In emergencies, communities must come first

How the First Nations Emergency Services Society is changing the game in emergency management.

Nations on the front lines of fire

Matteo Cimellaro

December 22nd 2023

From the ashes, a community heals

The story of wildfire, and the communities ravaged by them, is also about the long and spiralling story of recovery.

Nations on the front lines of fire

Matteo Cimellaro

News

December 20th 2023

Exclusive: Feds face burning questions over ‘upside-down approach’ to climate readiness

Ottawa continues to underinvest in disaster preparedness and mitigation on First Nations despite ballooning recovery costs from the worst wildfire season on record, according to documents shared with Canada’s National Observer.

Nations on the front lines of fire

Matteo Cimellaro

December 6th 2023

Take a good look at your forests, Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw says

Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw has a message for other bands. Take a good look at your forest, especially within a 10-kilometre radius, and do what you can to clean it up and ensure the community is protected from the big one that can devastate the way the Bush Creek fire did.

Nations on the front lines of fire

Matteo Cimellaro

November 29th 2023

‘Business as usual is not going to cut it’: Niki Ashton on feds’ economic update and wildfires

As the ash settles on Canada’s record wildfire season, “business as usual from the federal government is not going to cut it,” NDP MP Niki Ashton told Canada’s National Observer.

Nations on the front lines of fire

Matteo Cimellaro

November 23rd 2023

Scant investments in wildfire prevention in fall economic update

After Canada’s worst wildfire season on record, Ottawa’s mini-budget is scant on investments to protect First Nations and other communities from a new era of fire.

Nations on the front lines of fire

Matteo Cimellaro

November 21st 2023

Living and breathing with wildfire smoke

The health risks of wildfires and their disproportionate impacts on First Nations have left health experts calling on Ottawa to increase funding and centralize environmental health research.

Nations on the front lines of fire

Matteo Cimellaro

November 21st 2023

Act not react: Multiple audits advised feds to help First Nations before wildfires hit

In August, the devastating Bush Creek wildfire in B.C.'s Interior roared its way 21 kilometres into the valley where Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw sits. It destroyed 64 structures, including 34 community homes.

Nations on the front lines of fire

Matteo Cimellaro

November 14th 2023

What deer can teach us about health

Gabe Jules is pulling back on his deer hunts. He has witnessed a drop in both the numbers and health of the deer population in his territory, which has been ravaged by two devastating wildfire seasons in three years.

Nations on the front lines of fire

Matteo Cimellaro

October 5th 2023

When ashes rain down and you respond as best you can

After missed alerts and close calls, tools such as Facebook, satellite phones and door-knocks are being used by First Nations leaders in the country to keep their communities informed and maintain control over the messaging sent out.

Nations on the front lines of fire

October 3rd 2023

Frantic escapes, damaged homes and lost time: First Nations hit hardest when wildfire season comes

Canada’s National Observer has spent the summer tracking how the country’s worsening wildfire seasons have affected First Nations over the past decade.

Nations on the front lines of fire

Matteo Cimellaro

September 12th 2023