Massive B.C. Wildfire Sparked by a Cigarette [08/12-2]

Excerpts from: Local man admits accidentally sparking massive B.C. wildfire with cigarette


CNEWS [08/11/03]

After accidentally starting a massive wildfire with a cigarette, Mike Barre says he rushed from door to door, frantically trying to help with the start of an evacuation that eventually forced thousands from their homes.

A volunteer with the town's fire department, Barre said he admitted to Steve Grimaldi, a fire inspector with the B.C. Ministry of Forests, that he accidentally set the blaze.
"I told him the first night of the fire that I did it," said Barre.

When asked if he started the fire with a cigarette, Barre answered, "Yeah, but it was an accident."

The blaze quickly grew, forcing officials to evacuate more than a dozen homes Thursday night. Eventually, emergency officials said up to 8,500 people from McLure north to Barriere had to flee.

The village of Louis Creek, just south of Barriere, was almost completely destroyed.

The fire, still only half contained, was estimated at nearly 200 square kilometres on Monday.

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