WILL WE MANAGE FIRE OR WILL FIRE MANAGE US?

It’s not a matter of if fire occurs — it’s a matter of when.

Fire is an essential evolutionary force on our planet.

We’ve convinced ourselves in North America for over 100 years that we’ve know best how to deal with wildfire. The policy of “the only good wildfire is one that isn’t burning” has built up exponential fuel loads in our forests. We’ve built our communities into fire habitat and now have to face the situation we’ve created. Will we change our mindset to work with nature and wildfire, or continue to fight against them?

Explore shifting from only fighting wildfires to working with fire to creatively manage our fire-prone landscapes. This film was made with the support of TELUS STORYHIVE and CREATIVE BC. To learn more about embracing fire visit www.facingfirefilm.com.

Video written and directed by Javan Bernakevitch (Regenerative Land Designer and Educator from Okanagan BC)

Living in a biological world with financial limitations, Javan has made it his mission to create ecologically sound yet productive landscapes. A skilled practitioner in providing peace of mind, He works collaboratively with homesteaders, organizations and families creating regenerative landscapes and livelihoods.

Javan has co-founded and sold a successful micro-greens company, co-founded the Southern Vancouver Island Permablitz Network, taught in over 48 PDCs, created Permaculture BC, trained with expert craftsmen and veterans in the field, worked on dozens of projects around the world, taught over 1450 students, worked on land-based project design, management, training and installation throughout western Canada, the USA, Cuba, and East Africa. He has been a guest lecturer at the University of British Columbia, University of Victoria, Vancouver Island University, and Simon Fraser University. Recent partnerships include Cowichan Green Community, Seven Ravens Permaculture Academy and the Galliano Conservation Association.