British Columbia’s workplace regulator has imposed a substantial fine on the province for two separate wildfire incidents in 2023, one of which resulted in the tragic death of a 25-year-old firefighter in a vehicle accident in the northeast region.
This fine, totaling $710,000, marks the second-largest penalty issued by WorkSafeBC to the B.C. government concerning the 2023 wildfire season. The 2023 wildfire season was unprecedented in the province’s history, with nearly 2,300 fires burning over 2.8 million hectares and claiming the lives of several first responders.
Described as “emotionally challenging” by the province, the 2023 wildfire season will always be remembered for the loss of six members of B.C.’s wildland firefighting community.
WorkSafeBC has determined that the province must address safety deficiencies that contributed to the firefighter’s death. The agency emphasized that the purpose of the significant fine is to encourage employers to adhere to occupational health and safety regulations and ensure workplace safety.
The tragic incident involved Zak Muise, a 25-year-old firefighter working for Bigcat Wildfire, who lost his life in a vehicle rollover while combating the Donnie Creek wildfire in a remote area north of Fort St. John. WorkSafeBC highlighted safety lapses, such as the absence of helmets and failure to use seatbelts and damaged passenger-side netting.
Mike Smesman, the owner of Bigcat Wildfire, expressed gratitude for the investigation but conveyed the profound impact of Muise’s loss on the company. The second incident resulting in a fine involved five Brazilian firefighters trapped by flames during a planned burn in the Shuswap region due to inadequate planning, training, and communication.
The Forests Ministry intends to review WorkSafeBC’s penalty decision, expressing concerns about the bundled penalties and seeking an accurate representation of events. Minister Ravi Parmar acknowledged the dedication of wildland firefighters and stressed the importance of worker safety in firefighting operations.
WorkSafeBC clarified that penalty amounts are based on employer payroll size and violation severity, with the potential for increased penalties under high-risk circumstances or repeat offenses. Notably, the province contested a previous fine in October 2023, which was later cancelled following a review process.
Overall, the fines underscore the critical need for upholding safety standards in wildfire fighting operations to prevent future tragedies and ensure the well-being of all workers involved.
