Image: Jim Cooperman/Facebook

By Victor Kaisar

WorkSafe Fines

WorkSafeBC fines B.C. government over $750K for two wildfire fighting incidents from 2023

Nov 8, 2025 | 1:24 PM

KAMLOOPS — WorkSafeBC has fined the Provincial Government over $750,000 in connection with a pair of incidents involving the BC Wildfire Service that date back to 2023.

An administrative penalty of $759,368.84 was levied on Sept. 25 following investigations into the two incidents – one of which led to the death of a firefighter near Fort St. John, while the other could have killed or injured multiple firefighters in the North Shuswap.

In that North Shuswap incident, previous inspection reports by WorkSafeBC determined that a group of five Brazilian firefighters became “trapped by extreme fire behavior” during a planned ignition in response to what was then called the Lower East Adams Lake fire.

According to the WorkSafeBC inspection reports, the BC Wildfire Service did not adequately ensure safety during the burn on Aug. 17, 2023, which forced the group of trapped firefighters to retreat to a “safe zone.”

They had to burn off fuel around their truck and spend the night because of low visibility, smoke, fire activity and falling trees, WorkSafeBC said, noting these firefighters were picked up by another crew the next day that had “cut their way into the site.”

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“Other crews involved in the operation were forced to navigate off-road when their escape route was compromised,” an online summary of the penalty said.

In its findings, WorkSafeBC determined that a lack of planning, training, and communication were all contributing factors that led to the firefighters plight.

“Elements of the employer’s safety program and operations manual had not been followed,” the online summary added. “The employer failed to provide its workers with the information, instruction, training, and supervision necessary to ensure their health and safety, a repeated and high-risk violation.”

At the time of the planned ignition, two wildfires — the Lower East Adams Lake and Bush Creek blazes — had been steadily moving toward the North Shuswap. Whipped up by high winds, the combined Bush Creek East fire went on to destroy more than 270 structures.

That planned burn also led Jim Cooperman to file a complaint with the BC Forest Practices Board alleging “gross negligence” by the BC Wildfire Service. Cooperman maintains it was the planned ignition – and not the wildfires – that wreaked havoc in the North Shuswap.

The other incident that led to the six-figure penalty dates back to July 28, 2023, when 25-year-old firefighter, Zak Muise, was killed while fighting the Donnie Creek fire. Muise and his supervisor were on a utility terrain vehicle (UTV) that went over a steep embankment north of Fort St. John.

“WorkSafeBC determined that neither worker was wearing a helmet, the passenger had not been using a seatbelt, and the passenger-side retention netting had been damaged,” an online summary said.

“In addition, inadequate supervision, a lack of safe work procedures and training for operating the UTV, and a lack of a pre-use inspection of the UTV all contributed to the incident.”

In October 2023, the province was fined $710,488.79 for unsafe wildfire mitigation practices near Wonowon in the province’s northeast. It was then the largest ever fine issued by WorkSafeBC, though according to the CBC it was cancelled following a review.

BCGEU calling for ‘meaningful action’

In light of this latest penalty, the BC General Employees Union (BCGEU) is calling on the BC Wildfire Service to take meaningful action to protect wildland firefighters.

In a statement, the union – which represents wildland firefighters – said the administrative penalty reaffirms its position that “systemic safety issues” within the BC Wildfire Service are putting workers at risk.

“We welcome WorkSafeBC’s direction to bring the employer into compliance with basic health and safety obligations. Every worker deserves to come home safe at the end of the day,” BCGEU president Paul Finch said.

“Wildland firefighters work in some of the harshest and most unpredictable conditions imaginable [and] those challenges are made worse when chronic understaffing, poor retention, and inadequate training leave new and young workers exposed to unnecessary danger.”

According to the BCGEU, the 2024 fire season saw a 55 per cent turnover of crew leaders, which they note increases the risk for frontline firefighters and fire-impacted communities.

The union said there has been some progress made, citing a new provincial Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee and initial efforts to improve safety training and equipment standards.

The BCGEU also said the targeted wage increases that came about through recent job action may help reduce turnover of more experienced crew members.

“The 2023 wildfire season was the most devastating on record, and this fine must serve as a turning point,” Finch said. “The government and BC Wildfire Service must act now to rebuild a culture of safety, transparency, and respect for the workers who risk their lives to protect our communities.”