A proactive response to evolving wildfire risk

The City of Burnaby is taking a significant step to bolster public safety on Burnaby Mountain, announcing plans to install an automated wildfire detection system later in 2026. The move comes as local governments across British Columbia grapple with the growing reality of hotter, drier summers and increasingly unpredictable fire behaviour.
City officials say the system which will combine smoke-detection cameras with ground-based sensor nodes is designed to identify early indicators of wildfire, including heat signatures and smoke, in near real time. The goal is simple but critical: to give firefighters earlier warning so they can respond before a small ignition escalates into a major emergency.
“This investment is part of our commitment to protecting residents, students and critical infrastructure on Burnaby Mountain,” Mayor Mike Hurley said in announcing the initiative. A former firefighter with decades of experience, Hurley framed the project as a practical response to changing climate conditions rather than a reaction to any single incident.

From simulations to real-world safeguards

The decision follows previously commissioned simulations that examined worst-case wildfire scenarios on Burnaby Mountain, including rare but severe events that could threaten nearby oil and energy infrastructure. Those studies underscored how quickly a fire could spread under extreme conditions and how limited response times could be without early detection.
Burnaby Mountain presents a unique risk profile. It is both a heavily forested area and a hub of dense human activity, home to Simon Fraser University, residential neighbourhoods, and key transportation corridors. On its slopes and surrounding areas sit industrial facilities including the Trans Mountain oil tank farm, Shell’s Burmount Terminal, and Parkland’s Burnaby Refinery.
City officials say the new detection system is intended to close the gap between ignition and response, particularly in areas where a fire could have cascading consequences for public safety, the environment, and regional energy supply.

How the system will work

The planned network will include elevated smoke-detection cameras capable of scanning large areas of forest, as well as sensor nodes positioned closer to the ground to detect heat anomalies and other early warning signs. Together, these tools are designed to flag potential fires almost as soon as they start.

Strategic placement across the mountain

Sensors will be installed along the urban-wildland interface, key evacuation routes, and in proximity to industrial sites on and around Burnaby Mountain. Additional locations are being planned in collaboration with Simon Fraser University, including possible on-campus installations that would help protect students, staff, and research facilities.
By concentrating coverage in high-risk zones, the city aims to maximize the system’s effectiveness while integrating it into existing emergency response protocols.

Turning data into “actionable alerts”

Burnaby Fire Chief Miles Ritchie emphasized that the value of the system lies not just in detection, but in how information is delivered to first responders.
“This system will give our firefighters a head start, by turning early signals into clear, actionable alerts,” Ritchie said. “That allows us to find the source fast, send the right crews, and stop small problems before they become big ones.”
At present, the city has no automated wildfire detection in place. Fire crews rely largely on reports from members of the public, passersby, or third-party notifications, a system that can introduce delays, particularly in remote or less visible areas of the mountain.
Ritchie said the new technology will reduce reliance on chance sightings and improve situational awareness during periods of elevated fire danger.

A broader shift in wildfire preparedness

Burnaby’s move reflects a broader shift among municipalities toward proactive wildfire mitigation, particularly in communities located at the edge of forests and urban development. Automated detection systems are increasingly being adopted in fire-prone regions as climate change extends fire seasons and intensifies conditions that allow blazes to spread rapidly.
While city officials did not disclose the full cost of the system or its procurement timeline, they characterized the investment as a necessary component of long-term resilience planning, especially given the stakes involved on Burnaby Mountain.
The city expects installation to take place later in 2026, with further details to be finalized in coordination with emergency services, SFU, and industrial stakeholders.

Summary

Burnaby’s decision to install an automated wildfire detection system on Burnaby Mountain marks a meaningful shift from reactive to preventative fire management. In an area where dense forest, major institutions, residential communities, and critical energy infrastructure converge, early detection can be the difference between a contained incident and a regional emergency.
By deploying smoke-detection cameras and sensor nodes in strategic locations, the city is aiming to compress response times and give firefighters the advantage they need in an era of escalating wildfire risk. The move acknowledges a changing climate reality, one in which relying solely on human observation is no longer sufficient.
For residents, students, and workers on Burnaby Mountain, the system offers an added layer of protection. For the city, it represents a calculated investment in resilience, recognizing that while severe wildfire scenarios may be rare, their consequences can be profound.