1,700 wildfire fighter applications in BC, doubling from previous year; 2023 to focus on staff well-being after record destruction.

British Columbia's Wildfire Service received a record-breaking 1,700 applications for wildfire fighter roles in 2023, nearly double the number from the previous year. The BC Wildfire Service plans to prioritize the well-being and mental health of its staff in 2024, after experiencing its most destructive wildfire season in history, with over 2.84 million hectares burned. The organization offers an occupational health program with on-site physiotherapists and a robust mental health program.