Campfires and cigarettes are just two of many causes of man-made forest fires
As of August 18, the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) had recorded 1,488 wildfires in BC so far this season, of which 347 (23 percent) were described as “human-caused.” But what exactly is meant by “human-caused”?
When a wildfire is described as human-caused, most people immediately think that it was started by an out-of-control campfire or a cigarette butt thrown out a car window. However, the BCWS classifies any wildfire that is not caused by lightning (or, in rare cases, spontaneous combustion) as human-caused.
There are many different situations, actions, or activities that can cause a wildfire to be considered human-caused. The BCWS lists several general causes of human-caused wildfires: Category 1 campfires; Category 2, 3 open fires, or resource management; equipment use (e.g., mechanical equipment); railroad operations; utility line operations; discarded smoking materials; incendiary materials (e.g., intentionally set); vehicles; and other (e.g., blasting, firearms, etc.).
Category 1 campfires are open fires that meet two requirements: they burn in a pile no larger than 0.5 metres high and 0.5 metres wide, and they are lit, fuelled or used by any person for recreational purposes (or by a First Nation for ceremonial purposes).
The only region where campfires are currently allowed without restrictions is the Prince George Fire Centre. They are completely banned in the Kamloops, Cariboo and Southeast Fire Centres, and bans and restrictions are in place in the Coastal and Northwest Fire Centres. Many communities where campfires are allowed – including Ashcroft and Cache Creek – have also banned campfires.
A Category 2 open fire is an open fire (excluding campfires) where material is burned in one pile no more than two metres high and three metres wide, where material is burned simultaneously in two piles each no more than two metres high and three metres wide, or where stubble or grass is burned over an area no larger than 0.2 hectares.
A Category 3 open fire is an open fire in which material is burning simultaneously in three or more piles, each no higher or three metres wide; in which material is burning in one or more piles, each no higher or three metres wide; in which one or more windrows are burning; or in which stubble or grass is burning over an area of more than 0.2 hectares.
A resource management open fire is an open fire burning unpiled wood debris over an area of any size, or can be a fire that is not a campfire or Category 2 or 3 open fire, that is lit, fuelled or used for forestry purposes, forest health management, wildlife habitat improvement, fire mitigation, ecological restoration or range improvement.
Equipment fires are wildfires caused by the operation of mechanical equipment (excluding railroads), from heavy construction equipment to small portable engines. For example, a blade of an appliance may strike a rock, creating a spark that ignites forest fuels and starts a wildfire.
A railway operational fire is a fire that occurs during the operation and maintenance of engines, locomotives or rolling stock, or during the repair, construction, reconstruction or maintenance of the tracks or rights of way.
An electric, oil, gas, radio and telephone line fire is caused by the operation, transmission, construction, installation, maintenance or repair of electric, oil, gas, radio and telephone lines. An example would be a tree falling on power lines and igniting wildfires.
A discarded smoking materials fire is caused by smoking or smoking accessories, including matches, cigarettes, cigars, pipes, illegal substances, etc., while a vehicle fire is a wildfire started by a vehicle. An arson fire is a fire that is deliberately started in an area or under circumstances where and under which fire should not be.
Finally, there are a number of wildfires that cannot be properly classified under other standard causes. These include, for example, the use of firearms/ammunition/binary exploding targets, fireworks, signal or road flares, blasting operations, outdoor stoves or kilns, grinding/cutting/welding, tiki or similar torches, reflector or magnifying glasses, electric fences, flying lanterns (sky lanterns), and spontaneous combustion of man-made materials.
Anyone participating in an activity that could cause a wildfire should remain alert, whether in the wilderness or near home. Report all wildfires either by phone at 1-800-663-5555 (toll-free) or *5555 on a cell phone, or through the BC Wildfire Service Mobile App.
If you use the mobile app to report, please include a photo of the fire if possible. These photos help emergency personnel by providing valuable information to aid in response decisions and resource allocation.
