Wildfire Averages

Last updated on June 15, 2023

The current 10-year average, taken from 2012 to 2022, is 1,483 wildfires from April 1 to March 31 the following year. On average, 42% of these are human-caused and 58% are lightning-caused.

The following table shows general statistics of wildfire activity in B.C. since 2008.

Year Total Fires Total Hectares Total Cost (estimated) Human-caused (%) Lightning-caused (%)
2022 1,801 135,235 $411.9 million 578 (32%) 1,200 (66%)
2021 1,647 869,300 $718.8 million 633 (38%) 970 (59%)
2020 670 14,536 $193.7 million 395 (59%) 275 (41%)
2019 825 21,138 $182.5 million 450 (55%) 375 (45%)
2018 2,117 1,354,284 $615 million 628 (30%) 1,489 (70%)
2017 1,353 1,216,053 $649 million 580 (43%) 773 (57%)
2016 1,050 100,366 $129 million 564 (54%) 486 (46%)
2015 1,858 280,605 $277 million 621 (33%) 1,237 (67%)
2014 1,481 369,168 $297.9 million 664 (45%) 817 (55%)
2013 1,861 18,298 $122.2 million 564 (30%) 1,297 (70%)
2012 1,649 102,122 $133.6 million 708 (43%) 941 (57%)
10 year average 1,483 407,373 $316.9 million 581 (42%) 866 (58%)
2011 653 12,604 $53.5 million 444 (68%) 209 (32%)
2010 1,672 337,149 $212.2 million 680 (41%) 992 (59%)
2009 3,064 247,419 $382.1 million 881 (29%) 2,183 (71%)
2008 2,023 13,240 $82.1 million 848 (42%) 1,175 (58%)