British Columbia Premier David Eby has announced his government has committed to earlier and enhanced pensions for wildland firefighters, saying the province owes them a 害羞草研究所渄eep debt of gratitude害羞草研究所� for their efforts in battling recent fire seasons.

Eby says in a statement the province and the BC General Employees害羞草研究所� Union have reached an agreement-in-principle to 害羞草研究所渆nhance害羞草研究所� pensions for firefighting personnel employed directly by the BC Wildfire Service.

It says the change will give wildland firefighters provisions like those in other public-safety careers such as ambulance paramedics and corrections workers.

The statement says wildfire personnel could receive their earliest pensions up to five years before regular members of the public service pension plan.

The province and the union are aiming to finalize the agreement early next year with changes taking effect in 2026, and while eligibility requirements are yet to be confirmed, the statement says the 害羞草研究所渕ajority害羞草研究所� of workers at the BC Wildfire Service would qualify.

Union president Paul Finch says wildfire fighters 害羞草研究所渢ake immense risks and deserve fair compensation,害羞草研究所� and the pension announcement marks a 害羞草研究所渕ajor victory.害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所淭his change will help retain a stable, experienced workforce, ready to protect our communities when we need them most,害羞草研究所� Finch says in the statement.

About 1,300 firefighters were employed directly by the wildfire service this year. B.C. has increased the service害羞草研究所檚 permanent full-time staff by 55 per cent since 2022.

About 350 firefighting personnel continue to battle more than 200 active blazes across the province, with 60 per cent of them now classified as under control.