Wildfire management and evacuation in indigenous communities in Canada and the United States: A scoping review

Abstract

Indigenous people and communities are disproportionately affected by wildfire and the accompanying smoke, motivating calls for revitalization, integration, and greater engagement with Indigenous people regarding fire knowledges and practices. We conducted a scoping review of literature on wildfire management and evacuation in Canada and the United States to understand impacts on Indigenous communities, and to inform ways that Indigenous communities can be more involved in decision-making in these areas. The literature reviewed suggests that, despite progress, there are still a range of barriers that leave little scope for Indigenous participation in shaping wildfire management on their territories. The literature also illustrates that the evacuation process can be traumatic and, at times, more harmful than the risk posed by the wildfire itself. However, the challenge is deeper than government agencies and external support organizations needing to improve their acceptance and utilization of Indigenous experiences and knowledges, identify opportunities for effective partnerships between government and Indigenous communities and organizations, and provide adequate funding and resources. More so, the challenge relates to the need to make space for Indigenous people's self-determination, with more agency and control over key aspects of wildfire management and evacuation. Some of the most promising examples from the literature were situations in which Indigenous communities took initiative on their own, had more control over decisions, or were otherwise enabled to express their collective agency in both wildfire management and evacuation. The pursuit of more integrative and holistic approaches in wildfire management generally will strengthen Indigenous community sovereignty, capacity, and community resilience.