More than 500 wildfires in British Columbia have been identified as arson or suspicious in the past decade, with officials cautioning that deliberately set fires can be especially destructive given the current hot and dry conditions in the province. The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) reported that 560 fires were deemed arson or suspicious between 2016 and 2025, accounting for about 3.8% of the total 14,856 fires detected during that period.
The BCWS categorizes these fires as “incendiary fires,” which are defined as fires intentionally ignited in locations or circumstances where there should not be a fire. One such fire, the Bald Range wildfire that displaced numerous Summerland residents, is being investigated as suspicious by the RCMP. Authorities are seeking witnesses who may have information regarding the cause of the fire, which was first noticed on August 7.
The outbreak of intentionally set fires has raised significant concerns within the BCWS. Cliff Chapman, the director of provincial operations at BCWS, expressed heightened worry over deliberately ignited wildfires, particularly given the prevailing environmental conditions.
Intentionally lit wildfires can result from various sources, such as campfires during fire bans, which are usually classified as campfire-caused wildfires by investigators. However, in severe cases, authorities may pursue arson charges if incendiary devices like fireworks or gas canisters are determined to have caused a fire due to negligence.
Kira Hoffman, a wildfire researcher at the University of British Columbia’s Centre for Wildfire Coexistence, notes that while arson incidents constitute a small portion of Canada’s wildfire occurrences, they tend to escalate during periods of heightened wildfire risk. Recent incidents, including a suspected arsonist arrest in Princeton and intentionally lit fires near Shuswap Lake, underscore the ongoing threat posed by deliberate fire-setting activities.
Hoffman also highlighted the destructive impact of intentional fires, citing examples from the United States where arson-related blazes have led to significant property damage and loss. She emphasized the serious nature of incendiary devices, likening them to explosives due to their high combustibility and potential risks when ignited near communities.