Human-Caused Wildfires Have Dropped Significantly in B.C., Says Wildfire Service

The number of wildfires sparked by human activity in B.C. is decreasing, thanks to public awareness and education campaigns, says the B.C. Wildfire Service.

Jean Strong, a fire information officer, told CBC’s Daybreak Kamloops that fires caused by cigarettes and smoking materials have dropped by 94 per cent, and those from campfires are down by 60 per cent.

“Human-caused fires have gone down overall over the past several decades of data that we have, which is great news,” said Strong. “We’re really grateful for the people who have taken those public education campaigns to heart.”

Human-caused wildfires are any that don’t result from natural lightning — including causes like vehicles, trains, power lines, industrial activity, or reflective glass. Even rare causes like arson have seen a decline.

As of Monday morning, 62 of the 83 active wildfires in B.C. were caused by lightning, while 17 were human-caused, and four remain under investigation.

One fire of particular concern — the Izman Creek fire near Lytton — was started by sparks from an RCMP trailer, police confirmed.

Human-caused fires are more frequent in spring and fall, often linked to yard cleanup or industrial burns. Lightning fires, by contrast, dominate the core summer months, as dry conditions increase fire risks.

While cause categories are tracked internally, the public wildfire database reports only whether a fire was caused by humans or lightning. In complex cases, fire origin experts are dispatched to determine the cause.

Strong emphasized that despite downward trends, fire prevention education remains critical, especially as human activity near forests increases.

And if someone accidentally starts a fire?

“Please report it,” Strong urged. “The sooner we can respond, the better the outcome.”

Under B.C.’s Wildfire Act, causing a wildfire — and even failing to report one — can result in fines up to $1 million and up to three years in jail, depending on the severity.