The provincial government has released its summary of the 2023 provincial wildfire season, confirming the record-setting level of destruction. This season saw more than 2.84 million hectares burned across BC, which is more than double the area of forest and land that was burned during any previous year on record.
Between April 1 and October 31, British Columbia experienced 2,245 wildfires:
- 72% were natural-caused;
- 25% were human-caused; and,
- The cause was undetermined for the remaining 3%.
The Province’s estimated cost of fire suppression was $817 million. Wildfires resulted in BC being under a provincial state of emergency for a total of 28 days.
This record-setting wildfire season comes following a warm and dry fall 2022 and spring 2023. Notably, BC experienced temperatures six to 10 degrees above normal in May 2023, and rainfall amounts lower than historical levels. This contributed to accelerated snow melt, leaving high-elevation areas more susceptible to lightning. Summer temperatures, notably in June and July, were also well above historical averages, with BC experiencing limited rainfall.
Wildfires were a discussion topic of interest during the 2023 UBCM Convention, including as part of sessions devoted to the Fire Safety Act; the impacts of wildfire smoke; and, preparation for future wildfires. UBCM members endorsed resolutions calling for, among other things, increased climate adaptation funding; additional grant funding for wildfire mitigation; and, changes to rules for borrowing to replace fire apparatus.