History

History

TRU Wildfire operates the Centre for Wildfire Research, Education, Training and Innovation and is the culmination of several years’ effort to respond to the critical need to make these areas a priority to match the dramatic shifts brought on by our changing climate, as shown by increased wildfire activity and severity.

Timeline

2024
BC Premier announces first of its kind partnership between TRU and the BC Wildfire Service and a dedicated wildfire training and education centre at TRU
2023
TRU and the BC Wildfire Service sign a memorandum of understanding TRU establishes Institute for Wildfire Science, Adaptation and Resiliency TRU completes construction of a $4.4-million research facility for wildfire science TRU becomes a member of Canada Wildfire
2021
Wildfire experts Dr. Mike Flannigan (BC Innovation Research Chair in Predictive Services, Emergency Management and Fire Science) and Dr. Jill Harvey (Canada Research Chair in Fire Ecology) join TRU
2020
The province funds the BC Innovation Research Chair in Predictive Services, Emergency Management and Fire Science through a $5-million endowment granted to TRU
2019
TRU works with other institutions to fund multiple disaster prevention research initiatives.
2018
TRU works with the Province and other institutions, and with the support of mayors of Interior cities, to develop wildfire science as an essential focus in the years following the difficult 2017-18 fire seasons.