Wildfire measures in First Nations communities

Capacity Enhancement

ISC invests in First Nations capacity enhancement with funding to support 320 full or part-time emergency management coordinators in First Nations communities, Tribal Councils, and other First Nations organizations across the country.

These coordinators play a key role in hazard planning, response coordination, and recovery efforts during emergency events. For fiscal year 2026–2027, ISC is providing $12.98 million in capacity enhancement funding to hire Emergency Management Coordinators.

Non-Structural Mitigation and Preparedness

Non-Structural Mitigation and Preparedness helps First Nations communities enhance emergency readiness and lessen the impacts of natural hazards. First Nations can seek funding support to develop and test emergency management plans and to increase their capacity to respond to wildland fires. For fiscal year 2026-2027, ISC will provide $18 million in ongoing funding to support First Nations in preparing for and mitigating against wildfire events and their impacts.

FireSmart program

The FireSmart funding stream provides support for wildfire preparedness, including firefighter training, fuel management, and vegetation clearing projects to help mitigate future risk. This fiscal year, ISC is providing $10.9 million in FireSmart resources to eligible and on-reserve communities. This enables them to respond to wildfires and implement measures to mitigate, plan for and prepare against such events.

Response and recovery

ISC reimburses First Nations, host communities, provinces, territories and third-party emergency management providers 100 percent of eligible costs incurred by First Nations communities during and after a natural disaster.

This includes covering culturally sensitive supports during the evacuation, such as community mental health supports, access to traditional foods, language translation, and childcare services.

ISC uses the Building Back Better strategy to support First Nations in response and recovery to reduce community vulnerability for natural disaster related emergency events and strengthen community capacity and resilience.

Under this strategy EMAP funds weather-resistant improvements to impacted infrastructure, including residential housing, to be more resilient to damage caused by wildfires.

Atlantic

(Atlantic regional office)

In the 2025 to 2026 fiscal year, ISC Atlantic provided funding to First Nations and Tribal Councils with financial through FireSmart for preparedness and non-structural mitigation activities in Atlantic Canada specific to wildfires.

Investment for FireSmart projects in 2025 to 2026 included:

• a coordinator position to support FireSmart work in First Nation communities
• wildfire response equipment including personal protective equipment air purifiers and fire suppression equipment
• training, professional development and exercises related to wildfire events
• vegetation management activities, including funding for the purchase of tools such chippers and saws

Since January 2020, ISC has provided capacity enhancement funding to First Nations and tribal councils in all four Atlantic provinces to support First Nations Emergency Management Coordinators to plan for and deal with various natural emergencies, including wildfires.

In 2025 to 2026, EMAP provided additional investments in emergency management capacity, supporting 43 Emergency Management Coordinators at both the tribal council and community level. These positions are instrumental in supporting wildfire training, awareness and prevention.

Quebec

(Quebec regional office)

A bilateral agreement between the Government of Quebec and ISC includes support to First Nations in Quebec during disasters and collaboration between federal and provincial governments in disaster risk management.

ISC supports First Nations in Quebec with emergency preparedness activities, particularly through responder training and the organization of emergency management exercises. In addition, communities can rely on departmental representatives to help develop and update their emergency management plans.

Risk mitigation measures have been implemented in First Nations communities with financial support from ISC. These include:

• funding for telecommunications equipment and wildfire protection and suppression gear for the communities of the communities having their own brigade
• funding for blower door tests and the purchase of equipment to establish clean air shelters in most communities in the region. These shelters help avoid evacuations during poor air quality events. The plan is to install clean‑air centres in each Indigenous community eligible for the Emergency Management Assistance Program by 2027.
• funding for 115 PurpleAir sensors to monitor air quality in Indigenous communities or urban centres. These sensors help determine whether the air is safe enough to receive evacuees from First Nations.

In addition to these direct investments, ISC supports First Nations through the following measures and projects:

• funding to W8banaki to establish an emergency management support program for First Nations
• maintaining the regional agreement with the Canadian Red Cross to support First Nations with emergency preparedness and evacuations, including training and exercises on disaster services and risk management and planning for the delivery of services to evacuees
• providing funding to Société de protection des forêts contre le feu to deliver FireSmart wildfire training to community emergency coordinators and help communities face wildfire threats

Ontario

(Ontario regional office)

In Ontario, ISC is investing in innovative approaches to grow First Nations emergency management capacity for the future. ISC worked with Seven Generations Education Institute (SGEI) on the Emergency Management Secondary School Curriculum Project ($2.9 million in total ISC funding from fiscal year 2024-25 to fiscal year 2027-28). Through this project, SGEI developed and piloted two courses for Grade 11 and 12 students in Ontario focusing on emergency management with a specialization in emergencies in Indigenous communities. The goals of these courses are to teach students practical skills and expose them to emergency management as a possible career path.

Grade 11 and 12 students in Geraldton and Thunder Bay – many of whom have lived experience with emergencies in First Nations – participated in a range of learning opportunities and certification trainings during the pilot project, including:

• Ice safety and rescue
• Wilderness first aid
• First Aid and CPR training
• Opioid awareness and harm reduction training
• Emergency preparedness and 72-hour kit development
• Hazard identification and risk assessment

The courses will be available online to all Ontario secondary schools following a "train the trainer" program in 2026-27 to prepare educators to teach the material.

At the community level, ISC supports emergency management coordinators in Ontario to increase First Nations' capacity to plan for and respond to various natural emergencies, including wildfires. ISC is funding at least 30 emergency management coordinators in First Nations communities and organizations for the 2026-27 fiscal year. ISC also funds training and preparedness initiatives for First Nations and tribal councils.

ISC also funds health emergency management (HEM) coordinators and preparedness initiatives to enhance First Nations' capacity to manage the health and social aspects of emergencies. HEM coordinators work at provincial territorial organizations, tribal councils, and health authorities to support member communities. ISC is funding at least 8 HEM coordinators for the 2026-27 fiscal year.

ISC continues to establish new partnerships with First Nations and First Nations organizations to develop Indigenous-led teams to assist and support First Nations residents when they are evacuated to host communities.

• Since 2024, ISC has funded 2 capacity positions at the Indigenous Police Chiefs of Ontario (IPCO) to assist communities in Ontario with mapping for wildfire preparedness, flood mapping, and 911 services. This support is for communities that lack the internal capacity to develop these plans. IPCO can provide guidance or fully manage the entire project, depending on community needs.

When emergencies happen, facilitating a coordinated response between partners is key. ISC has two key funding agreements with the Province of Ontario to improve its capacity to provide timely, dedicated, and culturally appropriate service when responding to emergencies affecting First Nations on reserve.

• ISC is in the ninth year of a 10-year agreement with Ontario that provides annual funding for staff positions at the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre, such as:
  • 24/7 duty officers
  • Field officers
  • Logistics and operations staff
  • These staff are dedicated to responding to emergency events affecting First Nations, like wildfires.
• ISC also has an ongoing agreement with the Province to reimburse costs related to fighting wildfires that threaten First Nations on reserve.

Manitoba

(Manitoba regional office)

Since 2022 to 2023, ISC has provided $5.2 million to Manitoba First Nations under the Urban/Wildland Interface Fire fund for wildfire fighting equipment, vehicles and training.

Through a funding agreement with ISC, Manitoba Wildfire Services provides wildland firefighting services to protect First Nations communities on reserve. ISC provides approximately $6 million annually to the Province of Manitoba through this agreement.

Since January 2020, ISC has provided capacity enhancement funding to all 63 First Nations and 7 tribal councils in Manitoba to support communities' and tribal councils' First Nations Emergency Management Coordinators.

ISC supports First Nations in Manitoba during emergency events and will activate the Canadian Red Cross, when requested by nations, to coordinate the provision of emergency supports required during evacuation, repatriation or shelter-in-place events.

Saskatchewan

(Saskatchewan regional office)

ISC supports First Nations, tribal councils and First Nations organizations in Saskatchewan under the 4 pillars of emergency management on an annual basis to enhance emergency management capacity at the community level, including wildfire planning through the following:

• creating community emergency management leads and liaisons to provide emergency management planning, guidance and advice to leadership, the First Nations and partners
• forming community emergency management teams and committees
• developing and updating community all-hazard emergency management plans, including all-hazard risk assessments
• exercise design and related training, for example, basic emergency management, creating incident command systems and emergency operations centres, addressing emergency social services and training information officers
• community engagement to enhance preparedness, response and recovery capacity

Through EMAP, ISC also supports:

• Saskatchewan First Nations Emergency Management's annual forum, where Saskatchewan First Nations share emergency management initiatives and experiences, lessons learned and build relationships and partnerships
• After Action Reports with First Nations, tribal councils and partners as part of post-emergency and evacuation assessments
• Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) activation and training to coordinate and manage emergency events at the community level
• First Nations collaboration agreements developed with Canadian Red Cross for direct assistance during emergencies, including evacuations as well as preparedness and planning initiatives and training and exercises in risk management
• First Nations emergency social services preparedness and training
• search and recovery capacity and training

Through the FireSmart program, ISC also provides supports for fuel management projects to protect First Nations communities in Saskatchewan and to help them better prepare for wildfire seasons.

Alberta

(Alberta regional office)

ISC supports First Nations in Alberta through EMAP and other initiatives to:

• reduce the risk of wildfire-related impacts, infrastructure, and community assets as part of the FireSmart program and the Non-Structural Mitigation and Preparedness program
• respond to imminent threats and emergencies
• support recovery following wildfire events, including the restoration of roads, housing, and band-owned buildings
• strengthen long-term community resilience to future wildfire events
• advance planning and mitigation efforts to address the impacts of climate change on First Nations' infrastructure and land

The 2023 to 2024 and 2024 to 2025 wildfire seasons were among the most active on record in Alberta. In response, ISC has expanded its support to include a wide range of community-led preparedness and mitigation initiatives. These efforts focus on reducing wildfire risk, enhancing local readiness, and building long-term resilience.

To strengthen local capacity, ISC continues to work in close partnership with First Nations to advance emergency planning and coordination. As of fiscal year 2024 to 2025, ISC is funding an Emergency Management Coordinator for each of the 48 First Nations in Alberta through a $13.2 million, 3-year proof of concept initiative. These dedicated positions enable communities to lead across the 4 pillars of emergency management, while tailoring approaches to the specific risks and priorities of each First Nation.

In addition, ISC has funded a rage of targeted wildfire preparedness and mitigation projects. Examples include:

• vegetation management and fireguard installation through the FireSmart program in high-risk areas based on First Nation driven priorities
• evacuation route planning and wildfire-specific emergency mapping, supported through the Non-Structural Mitigation and Preparedness program
• community-led training and public awareness campaigns focused on wildfire prevention, supported through localized FireSmart funding based on First Nations priorities
• procurement of firefighting equipment, including water tanks, personal protective equipment, and communication tools for First Nations looking to enhance local response capacity, with an emphasis on supporting high-risk First Nations

ISC also maintains an emergency management service agreement with the Province of Alberta which provides First Nations with integrated access to the provincial emergency management system. This agreement enables coordinated emergency responses, supports on-site provincial presence during active events and facilitates preparedness training and emergency planning assistance.

British Columbia

(British Columbia regional office)

ISC is committed to ensuring First Nations affected by wildfires in British Columbia are safe and secure, a coordinated emergency management response is supported and communities are positioned for a strong recovery.

ISC has a 10-year bilateral service agreement with the BC Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR) for the provision of emergency services on reserve and a services agreement with BC Wildfire Services for the provision of wildfire suppression on reserve. Additionally, in British Columbia the First Nations' Emergency Services Society administers the ISC FireSmart on reserve funding.

The First Nations Leadership Council, ISC and EMCR have been working together to advance the development of a new multilateral emergency management agreement that reflects the unique needs and priorities of First Nations in British Columbia. This work is directed by the resolutions passed by the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, British Columbia Assembly of First Nations and First Nations Summit to support a phased negotiation model. 

January 30, 2025, marked the conclusion of phase I with outcomes that will bring immediate enhancements to emergency management funding and increased capacity for First Nations across British Columbia including $2.5 million in new funding committed by ISC to support the creation of 34 new full-time, multi-year Emergency Management Program Coordinator positions in:

• We Wai Kai First Nation
• T'Sou-ke First Nation
• Hupacasath First Nation
• Scia'new First Nation
• Ditidaht First Nation
• N'Quatqua
• Mowachaht-Muchalaht First Nation
• Esquimalt Nation
• Snuneymuxw First Nation
• Kitselas First Nation
• Skwah First Nation
• Leq'a:mel First Nation
• Kitsumkalum Band
• Chawathil First Nation
• Coldwater Indian Band
• Tzeachten First Nation
• Kitasoo Xai'xais
• Haisla Nation
• Nuxalk Nation
• Lower Nicola Indian Band
• Esk'etemc East
• Tkʼemlúps te Secwépemc
• Tsqescen First Nation
• Stswecemc'c Xgat'tem First Nation
• Saik'uz First Nation
• Skeetchestn Indian Band
• Tl'esqox
• Tl'etinqox Government
• Yunesit'in Government
• Lake Babine Nation
• Iskut
• Blueberry River First Nation
• West Moberly
• Tl'azt'en Nation

ISC additionally provides funding for regional Emergency Management Coordinator positions in the following organizations:

• First Nations Leadership Council and First Nations Summit Society
• 3Nations Society
• Nuu-chah nulth Tribal Council
• Le7 te Melámen Health Society Tŝilhqot'in National Government
• Nlaka'pamux Health Services Society
• Ktunaxa Tribal Council
• St'át'imc Tribal Council, Lilloeet Tribal Council
• Syilx Tribal Council, Okanagan Nation Alliance
• Naut'sa mawt Tribal Council
• Emergency Planning Secretariat
• The Secretariat of the Haida Nation

The regional Emergency Management Coordinators support 109 First Nations communities in British Columbia.

Yukon

(Yukon regional office)

Yukon regional office works with 14 Yukon First Nations and 3 First Nations located in northern British Columbia.

The regional office is working with the Government of Yukon's Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) to negotiate a new three-year bilateral service agreement for the provision of emergency services to Yukon First Nations.

Additionally, work is underway by ISC towards supporting Emergency Management Coordinators in four First Nations communities, with a goal of increasing the number of coordinators and communities served as additional funding becomes available in the region.

While this work takes place, ISC works with all 17 First Nations and the Government of Yukon as needed, on all aspects of emergency management including mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.

In the 2025-2026 fiscal year, 10 of 17 First Nations in Yukon and Northern British Columbia region received EMAP funding.

Yukon:

• Carcross/Tagish First Nation
• Kwanlin Dün First Nation
• Liard First Nation
• First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun
• Ross River Dena Council
• Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in
• Ta'an Kwäch'än Council
• Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation

British Columbia:

• Daylu Dena Council
• Taku River Tlingit First Nation

This funding supported and enhanced emergency management capacity at the community level through:

• investments in equipment for emergency preparedness and mitigation, such as handbooks, computers, printers, storage for emergency equipment, updating obsolete emergency information or status displays, and communications equipment
• maintenance of emergency equipment
• development and updating of community all-hazard emergency management plans, including all-hazard risk assessments
• training and testing of emergency plans, including tabletop exercises and evaluation of plans including basic emergency management, creating incident command systems and emergency operations centres, addressing emergency social services, and training information officers
• roles and responsibility training, guidance, and advice to leadership, including governance and partner roles
• community engagement through testing of plans to enhance preparedness, response, and recovery capacity

The Yukon regional office continues to support Yukon and British Columbia First Nations in:

• reducing the potential for wildfire that threatens residents, houses, and other infrastructure through fire smart programs
• responding to imminent threats
• recovering from wildfire events
• supporting the restoration of communities and assets
• reducing the vulnerability of First Nations communities to future wildfire events
• strengthening community resilience to future wildfire events

2024

Yukon reported 150 wildfires and 206,201 total hectares burned for another busy season. Although there were no evacuations, several communities were put on evacuation alerts due to wildfire: Champagne Aishihik First Nation in July, and later that month Selkirk First Nation. The First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun again was under alert as wildfire burned north of the community of Mayo. Wildfire also destroyed fibre and electrical lines causing power and communication disruptions territory-wide. Smoke was also a factor resulting in weeks-long intermittent closures of the Klondike Highway north of Pelly Crossing.

2023

This wildfire season was unprecedented for the Yukon and northeastern British Columbia, with 222 fires and 400,000 total hectares burned. In August, the First Nations of Vuntut Gwitchin (Old Crow) and Na-Cho Nyäk Dun (Mayo) were evacuated to Whitehorse. In northern BC, the Dease River First Nation (Good Hope Lake) was under an evacuation alert for two months as smoke caused numerous road closures. Yukon’s firefighting resources were stretched thin for the entire month of August, and many outside resources were committed elsewhere.