Burning Questions: Community Engagement and Wildfire Management in a Changing Climate. A case study of Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada

Abstract

As Climate Change increases the frequency and severity of wildfires in British Columbia, communities at the Wildland Urban Interface face escalating risks. This thesis explores the challenges and opportunities of community engagement in wildfire management in the city of Kamloops, one of the most fire-prone urban areas in British Columbia. Employing a single-case study design, the research is based on 26 semi-structured interviews with both community members and institutional actors. The thesis investigated three central dimensions: perceptions of responsibility in wildfire management, the state and potential of community engagement, and the role of climate change risk perception in shaping engagement efforts. The findings show that while community members and institutional actors recognise the importance of shared responsibility, significant mismatches persist in their expectations, particularly regarding evacuation and property protection. Trust in institutions,
particularly Kamloops Fire Rescue, is generally high, yet concerns about institutional capacity and responsiveness remain. Persistent barriers include limited communication, seasonal disengagement, financial and time constraints, and competing local priorities. Nevertheless, opportunities exist to strengthen community engagement through diversified communication strategies, increased funding, educational initiatives, and the use of community champions. Climate
change is broadly acknowledged as a driving factor behind worsening wildfire seasons, but its influence on individual engagement remains limited compared to more immediate, visible wildfire threats. The thesis concludes that inclusive, context-sensitive engagement approaches are critical for building wildfire resilience in an era of accelerating climate risk.

Popular Abstract

Burning Questions: Exploring Community Engagement in Wildfire Management

What happens when wildfires become the new normal? This thesis explores how Kamloops residents and institutions share the responsibility - and what helps (or hinders) real community engagement in the face of growing climate risks.

Each summer, the wildfire season in British Columbia starts earlier, burns longer, and hits harder. This reality brings growing urgency for communities like Kamloops, situated in one of the province’s most fire-prone areas. Wildfires are no longer rare disasters. They are seasonal neighbours.

This thesis explores how community members and local institutions in Kamloops understand and approach wildfire preparedness, especially as the risks grow with climate change. Through 26 interviews with 29 participants, including residents from ten neighbourhoods and representatives from city departments and fire services, the thesis examines shared responsibilities, barriers to engagement, and the influence of climate change perceptions.

The findings show that most people agree: preparing for wildfire is a shared responsibility. Community members expect institutions to lead the way with communication, planning, and emergency response. In contrast, institutional representatives expect community members to take action on their properties and be ready to evacuate when needed. But reality isn’t always so clear-cut. Some community members, for example, feel compelled to stay behind during fires to protect their homes—something institutions strongly advise against. These mismatched expectations highlight the need for better communication. Trust is generally high, especially in local services like Kamloops Fire Rescue. Still, many community members feel that information doesn’t always reach them clearly or at the right time.

Engagement also varies widely. Some neighbourhoods are highly involved in wildfire planning and have strong local champions. Others face barriers: lack of time, limited financial resources, health concerns, or simply not seeing fire as an immediate threat. Many focus more on housing, affordability, or day-to-day life than on what might happen in the summer heat.

That said, there’s real potential. Programs like FireSmart have helped raise awareness, especially when paired with personal outreach or funding incentives. Community Champions, those neighbours who get everyone moving, make a big difference. And while climate change is often recognised as a key driver behind worsening fire seasons, people tend to respond more strongly to personal experiences, like smoke-filled skies or nearby evacuations, than abstract future risks.

The thesis shows that building wildfire resilience takes more than information campaigns or evacuation plans. It requires trust, collaboration, and respect for people’s lived experiences. The people of Kamloops are willing and capable but need the right tools, support, and opportunities to act. And sometimes, just a bit more clarity on who’s supposed to bring the rake.

• author: Van Kerkhof, Fleur and Correia De Almeida Serranito, Filipa
• supervisor: Tove Frykmer; Lucas Hovart
• organization: Division of Risk Management and Societal Safety
• course: VBRM15 20251
• year: 2025
• type: H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
• subject: Earth and Environmental Sciences
• keywords: Wildfire Management, Community Engagement, Climate Change, Kamloops, British Columbia, Risk Perception, Shared Responsibility, Institutional Trust, FireSmart, Disaster Risk Reduction
• language: English
• id: 9197294
• date added to LUP: 2025-06-12 10:00:51
• date last changed: 2025-06-12 10:00:51