British Columbia’s workplace regulator has imposed a significant fine on the province over two wildfire incidents in 2023, one of which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old firefighter in a vehicle accident in the northeast region. This fine, amounting to $759,368.84, is the second-largest penalty issued by WorkSafeBC to the B.C. government in connection with the 2023 wildfire season. This season marked a devastating period in the province’s history, with nearly 2,300 fires scorching over 2.8 million hectares and claiming the lives of multiple first responders.
The tragic loss of six members of B.C.’s wildland firefighting community during the 2023 wildfire season was described as emotionally challenging by the province. Zak Muise, a firefighter employed by Bigcat Wildfire, lost his life on July 28, 2023, when his all-terrain vehicle overturned on a gravel road while battling the massive Donnie Creek wildfire in a remote area north of Fort St. John. WorkSafeBC highlighted safety deficiencies contributing to Muise’s death, noting violations that warranted the substantial penalty.
Mike Smesman, the owner of Bigcat Wildfire, expressed gratitude for the WorkSafeBC investigation but emphasized the devastating impact of Muise’s passing on the company. The fine also encompasses a separate incident involving five Brazilian firefighters who were trapped by flames during a planned burn in the Shuswap region due to inadequate planning, training, and communication, as determined by WorkSafeBC.
Forests Minister Ravi Parmar acknowledged the challenging nature of wildland firefighting and commended the efforts of the crews and contractors in ensuring public safety. WorkSafeBC emphasized that penalty amounts are based on factors such as the employer’s payroll size and the severity of the violation, with the aim of promoting compliance with occupational health and safety regulations to maintain workplace safety.