Forest fires and wildfires affect communities across Canada every year, especially during dry summer conditions. According to Natural Resources Canada, more than 8,000 wildfires occur annually, burning about 2.1 million hectares of land. While lightning causes many fires, human activity can still create serious wildfire risks through campfires, cigarettes, outdoor burning, fireworks, and sparks from equipment.
The good news? Many outdoor fire hazards can be reduced with simple, responsible habits.
Preventing forest fires begins with awareness and responsible outdoor behavior. Here are five essential tips that can help you protect forests, wildlife, communities, and the environment.
Human-caused forest fires spread quickly, destroy ecosystems, and put lives and homes at risk. A single spark, whether from a cigarette, a campfire, or a trailer chain, can ignite a fire that burns for days or weeks.
In British Columbia, wildfire risk can increase quickly during dry summer weather, especially near forested areas, parks, construction sites, rural properties, and roadside vegetation. Homeowners and businesses in Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, and across Metro Vancouver should follow local fire bans, outdoor burning rules, and emergency guidance during wildfire season.
By following a few simple safety practices, everyone can help reduce wildfire risks.
Yard waste burns are a common source of accidental fires. If not done carefully, flying embers can ignite dry vegetation or nearby structures.
Wind can send embers drifting into forests, grass, or flammable debris.
Always check local weather and burn restrictions before starting a fire.
Clear dry leaves, branches, and other combustible materials around the burn area.
This reduces the chance of the fire spreading.
Always keep:
If you manage a commercial property, construction site, apartment building, or multi-unit facility, wildfire and outdoor fire risks should be part of your overall safety planning.
For commercial properties, construction sites, and multi-unit buildings, a proper fire safety plan can help reduce fire risks and improve emergency readiness.
Otis Fire Protection also provides fire extinguisher inspection services to help ensure your extinguishers are ready when needed.
Improperly discarded cigarette butts are one of the most common wildfire triggers.
A smoldering cigarette tossed from a window can ignite dry grass or roadside brush instantly.
Bark mulch, often found around homes and businesses, can smolder for hours before bursting into flames.
Always fully extinguish cigarettes before disposal.
Campfires are enjoyable, but they must be managed responsibly.
Even a small flame can grow quickly if not monitored.
Before leaving your campsite:
Ash that looks “out” can still ignite hours later.
It may seem surprising, but dragging trailer chains can produce sparks that can start roadside fires.
A loose chain hitting pavement at highway speeds is an ignition source you don’t hear, but dry vegetation does.
Fireworks can send burning debris into nearby forests, grasslands, or rooftops.
A 15-year-old in Oregon caused a massive wildfire that burned 50,000 acres simply by playing with fireworks near the woods.
Many regions restrict fireworks due to wildfire risk. Always check local laws.
If you notice an unattended fire or suspicious smoke, call 911 immediately.
Preventing fires is a shared responsibility.
The best way to prevent forest fires is to avoid creating sparks or flames near dry vegetation. Always manage campfires carefully, dispose of cigarettes properly, follow burn bans, secure trailer chains, and avoid fireworks during dry conditions.
Not all wildfires in Canada are human-caused. Lightning causes a large share of Canadian wildfires, but human activity still causes many preventable fires near communities, roads, campsites, and outdoor work areas.
Yes. A cigarette butt that is not fully extinguished can ignite dry grass, leaves, mulch, or roadside vegetation. Never throw cigarette butts from vehicles or leave them on the ground.
Pour water on the fire, stir the ashes, pour more water, and check that everything is cool to the touch before leaving. If it is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave.
Loose trailer chains can drag on the road and create sparks. Those sparks can ignite dry grass or roadside brush, especially during hot, dry weather.
Yes. Keep water, a shovel, and a properly maintained fire extinguisher nearby whenever you are doing outdoor burning, if local rules allow it.
Preventing forest fires starts with simple, mindful actions. Whether you’re burning yard waste, enjoying a campfire, or traveling with a trailer, your precautions can protect entire forests, wildlife habitats, and communities.
A small spark can cause massive destruction, but responsible behavior can stop fires before they start.
Copyright © 2026 | Otis Fire. All Rights Reserved.
