In 2023, British Columbia faced its most destructive wildfire season to date, compounded by flooding and landslides earlier that year.
The Government of Canada announced $148 million in disaster relief funding to assist with response and recovery efforts related to these events.
The funding includes $132 million for the 2023 wildfire season, $12 million for 2022 wildfires, and $4 million for flooding and landslides in 2023.
This financial aid was provided through the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA) program, which helps provinces manage disasters beyond their financial capacity.
British Columbia’s 2023 wildfire season burned approximately 2.8 million hectares, with 208 evacuation orders affecting 48,000 individuals and 386 alerts impacting 137,000 people.
Severe drought conditions from late 2022 into spring 2023, combined with higher-than-normal temperatures, contributed to the intensity of the fires.
In 2022, the province experienced 1,757 wildfires, primarily in central, southeast, and northeast regions.
Communities in these areas faced extensive evacuations, with 7,000 residents and 4,860 properties impacted.
Federal funding covered evacuation operations and other recovery costs.
From late April to May 2023, British Columbia faced severe flooding caused by rapid snowmelt, high precipitation, and a localized heat dome.
Flooding and landslides affected areas such as Thompson-Nicola, Central Okanagan, and Northwest regions.
This event caused waterways to discharge full snowpacks within weeks, damaging communities and infrastructure.
Federal disaster funding of $4 million was allocated to assist the province in responding to and recovering from this event.
The DFAA program provides financial aid when disaster costs exceed what provinces can manage independently.
Funding covers eligible expenses such as evacuation costs, infrastructure restoration, and mitigation measures.
Provinces must request federal assistance within six months of a disaster’s end, and final claims are due within five years.
To date, the DFAA has disbursed over $9 billion in disaster aid across Canada since its inception in 1970.
A modernized version of the program is scheduled to launch in 2025, focusing on incentivizing mitigation efforts.
The Government of Canada has allocated over $148 million in disaster relief to British Columbia through the DFAA program.
This funding supports recovery efforts for wildfires in 2022 and 2023, as well as floods and landslides in 2023.
In 2023, British Columbia experienced 2,245 wildfires, burning 2.8 million hectares and prompting 208 evacuation orders.
Flooding caused by rapid snowmelt and heavy rainfall further impacted communities.
The DFAA program reimburses provinces for eligible recovery expenses that exceed their financial capacity.
Funding includes $132 million for 2023 wildfires, $12 million for 2022 wildfires, and $4 million for flooding in 2023.
Since 1970, the DFAA has provided over $9 billion in post-disaster aid across Canada.
A modernized version of the program is planned for 2025 to enhance disaster mitigation efforts.
