Canadians in Western Provinces Take Action to Mitigate Wildfire Risks

Canadians living in the West are significantly more likely to take action to reduce wildfire risk and mitigate the impacts of wildfire smoke compared to those in the rest of the country. A recent national survey found that 36% of respondents in British Columbia had addressed wildfire hazards on their properties, 35% had changed travel plans due to air quality advisories, and 32% had purchased air purifiers to address smoke. In contrast, Quebeckers were the least likely to have taken any action, with only 2% of respondents reporting that they had.

Key Takeaways:

• In British Columbia, 36% of respondents had addressed wildfire hazards on their properties, such as cleaning up shrubs, trees, and dead materials.
• 35% of respondents in British Columbia had changed travel plans because of wildfire smoke and air quality advisories.
• 32% of respondents in British Columbia had purchased air purifiers to address smoke.
• 23% of respondents in British Columbia had packed a bag in the event of a sudden evacuation order.
• In the Prairie provinces, 26% of respondents said they addressed wildfire hazards on their property, 33% had changed travel plans, and 21% purchased air purifiers.
• Nationally, about four in 10 Canadians reported that they had taken any action in the past two years.
• The findings highlight the reality that the West is "ground zero" for wildfires.
• Extensive public-education campaigns on emergency preparedness and reducing wildfire risk have been run in British Columbia, contributing to its residents' higher level of preparedness.
• The province's recent high-profile fires have made the issue top of mind for many residents.

Statistics:

• 36% of respondents in British Columbia had addressed wildfire hazards on their properties.
• 35% of respondents in British Columbia had changed travel plans due to air quality advisories.
• 32% of respondents in British Columbia had purchased air purifiers to address smoke.
• 23% of respondents in British Columbia had packed a bag in the event of a sudden evacuation order.
• 4 in 10 Canadians (40%) nationally reported that they had taken any action in the past two years.
• 2 in 10 Quebeckers (20%) reported that they had taken any action.
• 17 million hectares burned in Canada's 2023 wildfire season, exceeding the 10-year average of 2.7 million hectares.

Sources:

• "Canadians who live in the West are much more likely than those in the rest of the country to have taken action to reduce wildfire risk and mitigate the impacts of wildfire smoke." - The Globe and Mail
• Nanos Research survey of 1,047 people conducted between July 2 and 6, with an accuracy of plus or minus three percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
• Information from Forrest Tower, an information officer with BC Wildfire Service.
• Record-breaking wildfire season in 2023 in Canada, with 2.8 million hectares of forest and land burned in British Columbia.