Immersive Learning for a Wildfire‑Ready Canada

Blaze Fire Academy VR transforms wildfire education into a fully interactive, story‑driven virtual world where youth, families, and community leaders learn by doing. Guided by Blaze and the FireGuardians, participants explore forests, neighbourhoods, and emergency scenarios brought to life through immersive 3D environments and hands‑on challenges.

These VR courses are designed to build confidence, leadership, and real‑world wildfire resilience skills—accessible to schools, Indigenous communities, fire departments, and national partners.

VR COURSES

Course 1: Welcome to Blaze Fire Academy VR

Discover the world of wildfire resilience.

Participants enter a vibrant Canadian forest where Blaze introduces the FireGuardians and the mission

of the Academy. Users explore interactive landscapes, learn how wildfires behave, and complete their

first FireGuardian challenge.

Key Skills:

Understanding wildfire basics
Recognizing risk zones
Introduction to FireGuardian values

Course 2: FireWise VR Essentials

Hands-on prevention training in a safe virtual environment.

Learners identify hazards around homes, campsites, and communities. They practice safe campfire setup, ember awareness, and defensible space planning through interactive mini‑games and real‑world scenarios.

Key Skills:

Hazard identification
Safe campfire practices
Home and community FireSmart principles

Course 3: Youth Leadership & Emergency Preparedness

Empowering the next generation of FireGuardians.

Participants build virtual emergency kits, practice evacuation routes, and role‑play leadership scenarios. This course helps youth understand their role in community safety and builds confidence in emergency decision‑making.

Key Skills:

Emergency planning
Communication and teamwork
Youth leadership development

Course 4: Indigenous Fire Stewardship VR

Honouring traditional knowledge and land-based wisdom.

Co‑designed with Indigenous partners, this course introduces cultural fire practices, stewardship teachings, and the role of fire in ecosystem renewal. Users participate in guided storytelling circles and land‑based learning experiences.

Key Skills:

Understanding cultural burns
Respectful land stewardship
Learning from Indigenous knowledge keepers

Course 5: Inside the Fire Service

A virtual tour of firefighting careers and teamwork.

Participants explore a virtual fire hall, try on gear, learn about tools, and join a simulated wildfire response. This course is ideal for youth exploring fire service careers or volunteer firefighting.

Key Skills:

Fire service roles and responsibilities
Team coordination
Career exploration

Course 6: The FireGuardian Challenge

A final test of everything learned.

In this capstone experience, learners navigate a dynamic wildfire scenario—making choices that protect people, pets, and property. Completing the challenge earns them the FireGuardian Badge and a Blaze Fire Academy certificate.

Key Skills: