It is Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) policy to determine the origin and cause of all wildfires occurring on Indian Lands. Fire investigations are conducted when there is potential for a wildfire to result in tort claims, trespass damage recovery, litigation, or when arson is a possibility. Fire Investigators will meet the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) qualifications.
It is Indian Affairs’ policy to:
- Determine the origin and cause of all wildfires occurring on Indian Lands and accurately record them in the official system: Interagency Fire Occurrence Reporting Modules (InFORM)
- Request that wildfires originating off Indian Lands that result in damages on Indian Lands are properly investigated by the jurisdictional authority
- Conduct all wildland fire origin and cause investigations objectively and free from any conflict of interest
The reasons for wildland fire origin and cause investigations include:
- Determining the origin and cause of wildfires
- Identifying responsible parties
- Documenting ownership responsibility for the wildfire
- Documenting causes for statistical reporting and analysis
- Determining whether there is evidence that a crime has been committed
- Providing supporting documentation when litigation is necessary (25 CFR §163.1 and § 16638)
- Improving prevention program planning
Understanding Human vs. Naturally Occurring Wildfires
In Indian Country, arson and debris burning are the leading causes of wildfires in areas where vegetation interfaces with urban structures. On average, human-caused wildfires account for 80% of all wildfires that occur in Indian Country every year. Due to their proximity to homes and other community infrastructure, they also destroy nearly 190 structures annually.
Wildfires are categorized into one of nine general cause classes. Each general cause contains a subset category “specific cause” that further defines the ignition source of the fire. The general and specific causes are listed below:
Naturally Occurring Wildfires
Naturally occurring wildfires are most frequently caused by lightning. There are also volcanic, meteor, and coal-seam fires, depending on the circumstances.
Human Caused Wildfires
Human caused wildfires can be accidental, intentional (arson), or from an act of negligence.
Fire Cause
| General Cause | Specific Cause |
| Lightning (natural) | Lightning (but could also include volcanic, meteor) |
| Coal-seams | burning of an outcrop or underground coal seam |
| Campfire | Cooking, warming, bonfire |
| Smoking | Cigarette, cigars, pipes, and matches/lighters used for lighting tobacco |
| Fire use | Debris burning, burning ditches, fields or slash piles, etc. |
| Incendiary | Arson, illegal or unauthorized burning |
| Equipment | Vehicles, aircraft, exhaust, flat tires, dragging chains, brakes, etc. |
| Railroads | Exhaust, brakes, railroad work, etc. |
| Juveniles | Fire play - matches, fireworks, lighters, etc. |
| Miscellaneous | Includes burning buildings, fireworks, power lines, shooting (ammo, exploding targets), spontaneous combustion (hay baled while still wet, compost piles, oily rags), blasting, and coal seams. |
Other Known or Unknown
A fire may be classified as “unknown” if fire investigators were unable to determine a cause or if the fire’s origin is destroyed. It may have been determined to be human-caused, but the general or specific cause may remain unknown or undetermined.
*Since 2002, prescribed/controlled burns have not been captured in data collections unless it escapes control and is then reclassified as a wildfire.
WeTip
WeTip is a national non-profit organization that offers a 24/7 telephone tip hotline (1-800-472-7766) for people who have information about arson and want to make an anonymous report. If you have witnessed or know of criminal activity associated with wildfires, you can report this anonymously on the WeTip hotline. The reports help the BIA identify causes to fires and prevent future human-caused fires.
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National Interagency Fire Center, 3383 S. Development Ave
Boise, ID 83705
