B.C. is Burning
Facing Wildfires, Finding Solutions
B.C. IS BURNING IS AN URGENT AND IMPACTFUL DOCUMENTARY EXPLORING BRITISH COLUMBIA’S WILDFIRE CRISIS AND TRANSFORMATIVE SOLUTIONS WE NEED.
This powerful documentary addresses British Columbia’s escalating wildfire crisis and the urgent need for solutions. With five catastrophic fire seasons in eight years, entire communities are at risk, emissions are soaring, and the economic toll is immense. Since 2017, over seven million hectares—larger than Ireland—have burned, routinely doubling B.C.’s annual carbon emissions and costing billions in suppression, community devastation, timber losses, and health impacts.
But within this crisis lies opportunity. The film explores how proactive forest management and policy reforms can reduce fire risk. A fact-finding journey to California highlights innovative strategies from its Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan.
B.C. is Burning is more than a documentary—it’s a call to action to rethink how we manage our forests, protect our communities, and secure a sustainable future for British Columbia.
Photo Credit: Angie Laryea
Our Donation Progress:
Thank you to our supporters:
Padoin Reforestation Inc. ● Carole Denison ● Prophet ● Emil Anderson Group ● Ken and Karen Dahlen ● Ken Stewart ● Ladder2Solutions ● Bob Fryer ● Andrew Janzen ● Dee Lune ● Bernie’s Betty’s ● Harold Shim ● Elizabeth Howson ● Nancy Howson in memory of Al Willcocks ● Melissa Smyk ●
Padoin Reforestation Inc. ● Carole Denison ● Prophet ● Emil Anderson Group ● Ken and Karen Dahlen ● Ken Stewart ● Ladder2Solutions ● Bob Fryer ● Andrew Janzen ● Dee Lune ● Bernie’s Betty’s ● Harold Shim ● Elizabeth Howson ● Nancy Howson in memory of Al Willcocks ● Melissa Smyk ●
Watch the Trailer
Help Us Complete
‘B.C. is Burning’
Wildfires are reshaping lives. B.C. is Burning is a nearly finished documentary showcasing solutions to reduce the wildfires. With a May release planned, your support will fund filming, editing, marketing, and more. Help bring this urgent story to life—contribute today to inspire change and build a safer future.
Click here to donate today!
Featuring Expert Interviews With:
Murray Wilson
Retired Forester
Murray Wilson is a retired forester with over four decades of experience in wildfire suppression and forest management. With a lifelong connection to BC’s forests, he’s passionate about reducing wildfire risks through active, responsible stewardship and building resilience for future generations.
Dr. Carolyn Smyth
Research Scientist
Dr. Carolyn Smyth is a research scientist at the Pacific Forestry Centre, specializing in carbon accounting and ecosystem modelling. Her work explores how wildfires influence carbon balance and mitigation strategies for forests in a changing climate.
Jim McGrath
Registered Professional Forester
Jim McGrath is the Natural Resources Manager for Tk’emlύps te Secwépemc in Kamloops and a member of the Canim Lake Band. With over 20 years of forestry experience and a background in wildfire suppression, he provides unique insight into wildfire management and forest health.
Dr. Chuck Bulmer
Soil Scientist
Dr. Chuck Bulmer is a soil scientist with over 25 years of expertise in forest soils, soil disturbance, and rehabilitation. His groundbreaking work has advanced methods for assessing soil compaction and carbon inventories, contributing to sustainable forest productivity.
Rob Schweitzer
Assistant Deputy Minister: BC Wildfire Service
Rob Schweitzer is the Executive Director of the BC Wildfire Service with over 35 years of experience in B.C.’s forests. A Registered Forest Technologist, he has held leadership roles within the Ministry of Forests, specializing in wildfire management and forest planning.
Wade Crowfoot
California Natural Resources Secretary
Wade Crowfoot is California’s Natural Resources Secretary, leading efforts to conserve forests, water, and biodiversity. With over 25,000 employees under his leadership, he oversees initiatives to build resilience and combat climate change.
Dr. Lorraine Maclauchlan
Forest Entomologist
Dr. Lorraine Maclauchlan is a forest entomologist with over 35 years of expertise in researching insects affecting B.C.’s forests. A former professor at Thompson Rivers University, she has contributed significantly to understanding forest health and its future challenges.
Bruce Morrow
Retired Professional Forester
Bruce Morrow is a retired professional forester with 45 years of experience specializing in wildfire suppression and prescribed fire. Based in Kamloops for over three decades, he worked as a consultant, managing projects to reduce wildfire risks for communities and First Nations across southern B.C.
Patrick Wright
Director: California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force
Patrick Wright directs California’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force, where he developed the state’s groundbreaking resilience action plan. He previously led the Tahoe Conservancy, advancing climate and forestry initiatives.
Len Nielson
Staff Chief: CAL FIRE
Len is CAL FIRE’s Staff Chief of Prescribed Fire and Environmental Protection, with decades of experience in forest management. A Registered Professional Forester, he specializes in fire prevention and vegetation management across California.
Media
KelownaNow’s Interview with Murray Wilson
The interview that started it all. This documentary came to life after Rick Maddison interviewed Murray Wilson for KelownaNow in the fall of 2023. Their shared passion for transforming forest management sparked a deeper conversation about the urgent need for action. What began as a candid discussion evolved into a full-scale documentary project, bringing together experts and highlighting solutions to tackle B.C.’s wildfire crisis and build a more resilient future.
‘FUEL’ – B.C. is Burning Test Scene (Summer 2024)
This early test scene, filmed in summer 2024, highlights how overgrown, fuel-loaded forests are primed for wildfire. Registered Professional Forester Jim McGrath and Bruce Morrow, RPF (ret.), explain how these conditions fuel hotter, faster fires, leaving landscapes that can take decades to recover. Serving as a proof of concept for B.C. is Burning—a test to gauge interest and validate the documentary’s direction—this footage underscores the urgency of managing forest fuels and discusses proactive solutions like thinning and fuel reduction to decrease fire intensity and restore resilience, setting the tone for the broader narrative.
Get Involved
Help bring B.C. is Burning to life! We’ve captured incredible stories and vital insights into B.C.’s wildfire crisis, but we need your support to finish the journey. With $35,000 remaining to complete editing and launch a marketing plan, your sponsorship or partnership can make the difference in ensuring this film reaches audiences far and wide. Join us in sharing a story that has the power to inspire change and protect the future of our forests and communities.
Be part of the solution—partner with us today!
Click here to donate today!
Q&A
Who’s paying for the film?
B.C. is Burning has been fully funded by the generosity of community members and organizations who believe in the importance of this story.
When will the film be released?
Filming is complete, and we’re targeting a release date of March 2025. However, we still need additional funding to finish editing and develop a marketing plan to ensure the film gets the attention it deserves.
Who’s behind the film?
The film is led by Murray Wilson, a retired forester, and Rick Maddison, a media professional. Together, they’ve used their industry connections to secure powerful interviews, including exclusive conversations with California’s Wildfire Resilience Task Force.
What makes this documentary different?
Unlike other films, B.C. is Burning focuses on actionable solutions and highlights the importance of proactive forest management. It combines expert analysis with compelling visuals to inspire meaningful change.
How can I get involved?
You can support the film by becoming a sponsor or partner. Your contribution will directly fund editing and promotion efforts, helping us share this crucial story with the world.
Homestead Foods has pledged to match any donations up to the $45,000 needed to take B.C. Burning to the finish line. So every dollar you pledge is doubled. It takes a village to create a film of this magnitude. With hundreds of volunteer hours and your support we can make this film free to view so we can change the course of devastating wildfires. We are so close. Help us get this film created by donating now.
Will the film be available online?
Yes, we plan to make the documentary widely accessible through online platforms following its release.
Can I host a screening?
Absolutely! We’d love to partner with communities, organizations, and educational institutions to host screenings and spark conversations about wildfire resilience.
How can I contact the producers of the film?
Please email us at bcisburningdoc@gmail.com!