McLure fire

On July 30, 2003, a wildfire was started by a discarded cigarette in the hills behind McClure, British Columbia. The fire burned for 75 days, destroying 65,285 acres (26,420 ha) of forest and 81 structures (72 homes and 9 businesses).[1] The fire cost Can$31.1 million to extinguish and caused another 8.2 million dollars in property damage.[1] 3,800 people were evacuated from the communities of McClure, Barriere and Louis Creek.[2]

2003 McClure Barriere fire
LocationNorth Thompson River, British Columbia
Statistics
Date(s)July 30, 2003 (2003-07-30)
Burned area65,285 acres (26,420 ha)
CauseCigarette
Land useParkland, Rural, Farmland
Buildings destroyed81

In 2005, former firefighter Michael Barre was found guilty of dropping the cigarette which started the fire. Barre was convicted in BC Provincial Court for the crime of dropping a burning substance within one kilometre of a forest.[3] Barre faced up to a $1 million fine and three years in prison, but was instead sentenced to pay a $3,000 fine.[4]

References

  1. Kulig, J.C.; Kimmel, A.; Gullacher, A.; Reimer, B.; Townshend, I.; Edge, D.S.; Lightfoot, N.; McKay, M.; Barnett, M.; Clague, J.; Coghlan, A. (August 2010). McLure Fire: Lessons Learned (PDF) (Report). Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada: University of Lethbridge. p. 4.
  2. "Major Historical Wildfires". Province of British Columbia. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  3. Fong, Petti (8 November 2005). "Man guilty of igniting huge B.C. forest fire". The Globe and Mail. Kamloops, B.C. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  4. "B.C. man fined $3,000 for starting giant wildfire". CBC News. 29 November 2005. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
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