Over the past decade, more than 500 wildfires in British Columbia have been identified as arson or suspicious, with officials cautioning about the severe impact of deliberately set fires in the current hot and dry climate of the province.
Between 2016 and 2025, the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) documented 560 fires as arson or suspicious, constituting about 3.8% of the total 14,856 fires recorded during that period. The BCWS refers to these fires as “incendiary fires,” defined as blazes deliberately ignited in areas or circumstances where fires should not occur.
The RCMP is investigating the Bald Range wildfire that displaced numerous Summerland residents and is considered suspicious. Witnesses with information on the fire’s cause, discovered on August 7, are being sought by the police.
The BCWS issued a warning regarding intentionally set fires following the Bald Range wildfire incident. Cliff Chapman, the BCWS director of provincial operations, expressed significant concern about intentionally ignited wildfires, especially given the ongoing environmental conditions.
Incendiary fires caused by campfires during fire bans are typically categorized as campfire-caused wildfires by the BCWS. However, in severe cases, the Natural Resource Officer Service and law enforcement may pursue arson charges if warranted by the circumstances.
Kira Hoffman, a wildfire researcher at the University of British Columbia’s Centre for Wildfire Coexistence, highlighted that arson-related incidents are a minority among Canadian wildfires but tend to rise during periods of heightened wildfire risk. Incidents like arson often coincide with fire warnings and increased potential for aggressive fire behavior.
Recent incidents include the arrest of a suspected arsonist in Princeton, the discovery of five intentionally set fires near Shuswap Lake, and a Kelowna man sentenced to 21 months in prison for igniting fires on Knox Mountain last year. Hoffman pointed out more devastating examples in the United States, such as a man facing arson charges for fires that destroyed over 800 homes in Spokane, Wash., and another individual charged with igniting the destructive Palisades Fire in Los Angeles.
Hoffman emphasized the seriousness of dealing with incendiary devices due to their explosive nature, particularly when situated near communities and hazardous fuels.
