Ruminations

The Avoidable Component in B.C. Wildfires

"It's important to note that every time we run into a human-caused wildfire, that's a wildfire that didn't have to happen."
"These human-caused wildfires during periods of heightened fire activity can in some cases divert critical resources away from the natural caused wildfires that we can't prevent."
"If you were to really break it down, there are hundreds of different ways that wildfires start [as 'incendiary devices'."
"There isn't one silver bullet solution to reducing the number of human-caused fires, given that human-caused fires are attributable to a very wide array of activities and circumstances, so it is important for the B.C. Wildfire Service to continue educating the public about wildfire prevention as it relates to all human activities that can result in unnecessary wildfires."
Ryan Turcot fire information officer, British Columbia

"The Muddy Lake, Lovell Creek South, and Tahltan River fires have now merged with the Alkali Lake BCwildfire in the Stikine Complex in the Northwest Fire Centre," the B.C. Wildfire Service wrote on social media on August 22. "Heavy smoke is making this fire difficult to map, but it is approximately 100,000 ha."

"The most prominent communications theme referenced was the need to better communicate human-started fire considerations such as the direct impacts of negligence and fines for cigarettes in high-risk areas."
Report, independent review

"[Residents enjoying the outdoors urged to use extra caution in recognition of] record breaking hot and dry conditions having caused widespread elevation of drought levels."
"Be aware of the wildfire hazard in your area and carry a small fire extinguisher, collapsible bucket and small shovel to extinguish any fire that you accidentally start."
"Avoid carrying glass containers into the backcountry, since they can start fires by acting like a magnifying glass."
Province of British Columbia public alert

Wildfires have burned through nearly 400,000 hectares in B.C. this year. (B.C. Wildfire Service)

Over 1.2 million hectares of forested land burned in British Columbia in 2017, at a cost of over $568-million for fire suppression, along with the displacement of about 65,000 people. It was the worst wildfire season ever in the province. Once the fire season was over an independent review was launched that recommended initiatives to increase public awareness of the risks and personal responsibilities inherent in everyone knowing that they have a role to play in ensuring that their careless actions do not lead to devastating human-started fires.

The previous year the province of British Columbia took the step of increasing fines reflective of a number of wildfire-related violations. Fines enacted for lighting a fire against regulations or restrictions came to $1,150 for each offence. Another fine of $575 on conviction for failing to comply with a fire control order, and for failing to report a fire, a fine ranging between $383 and $575. But the greatest emphasis has been placed on an effort to educate people about their role in avoiding the setting of wildfires.

Some two thousand wildfires were and are still being fought across the province this year. And of that number an estimated 400 wildfires were identified as having been set by people through campfires, cigarettes, flares and car accidents among many other and varied actions, mostly avoidable, that have resulted in wildfires in a particularly dry year for 2018. Fire bans and allied restrictions aside, many people remain oblivious to the desperate messages alerting them to their responsibilities.

Over the past decade, an average of 40 percent of fires; about 666 per year, have been identified as being caused by humans, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service. This, apart from the fact that lightning activity has been the cause of an unusual number of fires. But the statistics are firm, that of 1,950 wildfires in British Columbia, over 420 were caused by irresponsible fire usage, many of which incidents are still under investigation regarding the multitude of possible causes.

There are ten broad categories that are known by the Wildfire Service to spark fires; smoking, electrical, and structure or vehicle fires. The broad umbrella of "incendiary devices" include matches, lighters, flare guns and others, representing the start of 23 percent of wildfires, while an estimated 22 percent are known to start and spread from campfires. A like number of starts begin with open fires including burn barrels, pile burning and industrial burning on a large scale.

Before even entering the backcountry people should be well versed in fire prevention. Off-road vehicle prohibitions were implemented in the Cariboo, Kamloops and southeast fire centres of northern British Columbia and full backcountry closures implemented in two of those areas, while campfires were banned across most areas throughout the summer.