Two-week work cycles with shifts that can last up to 18 hours. The rest takes place in the tent or in the gym abroad. These grueling conditions, coupled with the intensity of the challenge, are at the root of several mental health problems.

“There is no doubt that we are experiencing burnout. We’ve been fully operational without a break since early May,” said Steve Lemon, BC Wildfire Service Safety and Wellness Manager.

“The length of the fire season, the intensity of the fires, the prolonged drought – all of these lead to more complex, larger fires. All of this will undoubtedly have an impact on people’s mental health,” adds Lemon.

Authorities described this wildfire season as unprecedented. In British Columbia alone, more than 137,000 square kilometers of land has been burned so far, more than six times the ten-year average. Tens of thousands of people had to leave their homes due to evacuation orders; Homes and businesses were destroyed that season and four wildland firefighters were killed on the job.

Originally, the BC Wildfire Service responded to seasonal wildfires, but slowly grew into a year-round agency that was also deployed during other natural disasters, such as floods and storms and landslides, its manager explains.

As bad weather and disasters follow each other non-stop this year, it’s taking a toll on the health of the service’s 700 full-time employees, who typically use the off-season to rest and recuperate, explains Lemon. .

The BC Wildfire Service offers mental health support services to its employees. These have become more common in recent years, says Alex Lane, a military service firefighter and masters student in psychology.

It examines the mental health of firefighters and first responders in the wilderness of British Columbia. Since 2021, the service has also had “many” mental health injuries and workers who have taken time off due to mental health issues, Lane said.

A study of mental health issues in firefighters deployed in the 2016 Fort McMurray, Alberta wildfire found that 40% had symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, 30% an anxiety disorder, and 28.5% a depressive disorder. The study looked at all types of firefighters, not just those who deal with wildfires.

For better working conditions

According to the fire department, the early start of the fire season means some part-time firefighters will be quickly deployed or reassigned to duties that are expected to require more experience and training.

Experienced full-time wilderness firefighters are paid “at the lowest government level,” which starts at $26 an hour, said Paul Finch, treasurer of the British Columbia General Employees Union, which represents nearly 2,000 members.

With a salary like that, firefighters “can’t start a family and retire at a reasonable time,” he believes, pointing out that the problem adds to the psychological burden on wildland firefighters, many of whom eventually move into the private sector or start one different career, more lucrative and less demanding.

David Greer, director of strategic engagement at the BC Wildfire Service, says the service’s workforce is being reassessed in light of the new reality of the fire season. More than 100 crew members were converted to full-time this year.

“We definitely would like to see less turnover, so we’ve focused on employee health and well-being, learning and development, and more full-time opportunities with career paths,” he says.

Ken McMullen, president of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, said the demand for volunteer firefighters in local governments increases during wildfire season, and many of them are volunteers.

“Relying on volunteers for three months (wildfires) is just not a sustainable model,” he believes.

Your association is lobbying the federal government for more tax incentives for volunteer firefighters and for more funds for psychological support and special equipment.