Wildfire training sessions to help northeast B.C. avoid ‘dangerous positions’

CHETWYND, B.C. — Residents in Fort St. John and Chetwynd will have an opportunity to attend a pair of wildfire information training sessions.

North America Fire Rescue will be hosting a pair of S-100 training sessions on April 18th and 19th in Chetwynd, followed by sessions in Fort St. John on May 30th and 31st.

According to the B.C. government, S-100 is the basic fire training course. 

Day one of the Chetwynd sessions will be hosted at Chetwynd Recreation Centre, starting at 8:30 a.m. 

Day two will see participants in the field, but the location is yet to be determined based on the weather. 

The time and location for the Fort St. John sessions have not yet been released, but it has been hosted at the Pomeroy Hotel and Conference Centre in previous years. 

Each training session will include 12 hours of classroom instruction and 12 hours of hands-on training. 

Jessy Horsfield, owner and operator at North America Fire Rescue, says it’s important people know basic safety practices when it comes to wildfires. 

“With wildfire on the forefront…it’s important that we are teaching people basic safety,” Horsfield said. “I’ve seen people over the years go out without the training and put themselves in dangerous positions.” 

According to Horsfield, the training sessions will cover a series of important topics.

“There are eight key modules we’re going to go over,” says Horsfield. “Wildfire response, fire behaviour, fire suppression, water delivery, fire line equipment, communication, safety and fire entrapment.” 

This year’s training session has been revised by the BC Wildfire Service and Thompson Rivers University, Horsfield said. 

Ahead of wildfire season, Horsfield recommends residents attend training sessions to become more informed on dealing with wildfires.

“Take any kind of training,” Horsfield said. “Make sure it’s through an endorsed trainer. Learn about the fuels and how they react and how the weather plays a part in fires.” 

Horsfield warned about the dangers of campfires.

“We see a lot of [campfires] get away. The simple things to have in place, have your hand tool, have water to put it out and never leave a leaf unturned. Make sure it’s cold to the touch.”

Horsfield said it’s important for people to know that more training sessions are available upon request. 

In the last wildfire season in 2025, northern B.C. experienced 199 wildfires in Fort St. John, Fort Nelson and Dawson Creek.  

Tickets for the session are $375 per person. Those interested in registering can call North America Fire Rescue at (250) 540-2833.