The numbers are out and the 2023 wildfire season in B.C. is officially being reported as the most expensive on record. This year a total of 2,234 wildfires burned more than 2.8 million hectares.[1] The 10-year average for number of wildfires in a year in BC is 1,483, with total area burned averaging 407,373 hectares.

Of interest in 2023, the scales tipped in favour of lighting (71%) as the biggest cause of wildfires, with 23% caused by people. On average in B.C., 42% of wildfires in a year are human-caused and 58% are lightning-caused.[2]

Prolonged drought conditions are said to have been a significant contributor to the high numbers this year. Sixteen of 23 Environment Canada weather stations recorded the warmest May on record. The amount of rain received was also considerably lower than historical norms, with some areas receiving half of their average amount of precipitation.[2]

When wildfires become very large, as many did in 2023, the BC Wildfire Service reports that wildfire response shifts to a management approach. Managing very large fires means a focus on suppression activities around communities and critical infrastructure.

For private managed forest landowners, particularly those in interface areas adjacent communities, implementing FireSmart wildfire prevention efforts is critical in preparation for the coming wildfire season. The FireSmart program helps Canadians increase resilience to wildfire and minimize its negative impacts. Resources include guidance on vegetation management for different levels of treatment based on threat, biogeoclimatic factors, efficiencies and other factors like watersheds and wildlife habitat.

Stay tuned for PFLA’s upcoming webinar on FireSmart planning for private managed forest landowners.

[1] https://wildfiresituation.nrs.gov.bc.ca/currentStatistics

[2] https://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcwildfire/how-2023-compares-to-previous-seasons/