National Fire Protection Association 1 Batterymarch Park

Tel / 1 (800) 344 3555 Quincy, Massachusetts

Fax / 1 (800) 593 6372 USA 02169-7471
fireprotection@nfpa.org

Isolated indigenous communities in the boreal, specifically the British Columbia province of
Canada are at a disadvantage when it comes to protecting themselves from forest fires. More
specifically, in this case, the threat that a lightning-caused fire poses to these communities. When
a fire strikes their community, they are less like to be able to rebuild their lives and will end up
losing more. While communities like the Tsilhqot’in Nation have firefighting crews of their own,
they are receiving delayed and unequal protection.

Lightning-caused fires are unpredictable and are occurring at an increased frequency. One of the
reasons for this is climate change. Not only do these fires pose a threat to the lives of indigenous
communities living in areas heavily affected by lightning-caused fires, but the natural environment
is also at risk. Tens of thousands of lightning-caused fires are reported every year, however, many
more go unreported due the fact that occurs in areas that are unpopulated. Furthermore, some of
these fires are not reported until a week after they begin burning.

More training should be given to local fire fighting agencies and assistance should be provided to
indigenous communities. This would enable them to take action and protect themselves. We should
also enact more policies regarding climate change.

1. What steps are you already taking to provide support for indigenous communities affected
by lightning-caused fires?
2. How do you plan to provide more support for the affected communities?
3. In regards to climate change, what policies do you plan to enact to ease the troubles that
indigenous communities have suffered?

It is imperative that these questions be answered. Indigenous communities are the backbone of the
Americas. It is in our best interest to provide them with as much support as possible, or to at least
have a plan to improve provided support. Not only that, but for the sake of the environment and to
reduce the impact that lightning-caused fires have on heavily wooded areas, in this case the boreal
forest, then taking action against climate change will not only preserve these forests, but the rest
of the planet as well.

Thank you for your time and efforts. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.