A man in Nelson, British Columbia, has been handed a two-year, less than a day, prison term for setting four different fires at three locations in the city during the 2024 wildfire season’s peak. David Travis, aged 45, received his sentence in a Nelson provincial court in October, approximately a year after his arrest on three arson charges. A sentencing report detailing Travis’s offenses, the court’s decision, and his parole terms was made public online in December. Upon release, Travis must adhere to the conditions of a three-year probation, including staying at least 10 kilometers away from Nelson.
Judge Craig Sicotte, in the ruling, emphasized that factors like the scorching dry conditions and local fire restrictions exacerbated the gravity of Travis’s actions. Sicotte stated that deliberately igniting multiple fires in such locations during risky fire conditions posed a severe threat of extensive property damage and potential loss of life. On the day of the arson, July 24, 2024, there were 91 active fires in British Columbia’s West Kootenay region, with 66 of them raging uncontrollably. Various communities were under evacuation orders due to the fires, enveloping the area in thick smoke.
Firefighting personnel and resources from Nelson were deployed to assist affected communities, causing a strain on resources within the city, as per Sicotte’s remarks. On the same day, a wildfire devastated Jasper Alta., destroying half of the mountainous town. The court documents revealed that at 6:30 p.m., Travis initiated the first fire by starting a grass fire at Nelson’s Gyro Park. Witnesses observed a man fleeing the scene, and the fire spreading horizontally, possibly indicating multiple ignition points.
The blaze rapidly expanded to around 1,000 square meters before being contained by the local fire department and a helicopter equipped with a water bucket. Travis’s backpack, containing lighters and a butane canister, was discovered partially burnt at the park. While the park fire was being extinguished, Travis unlawfully entered a nearby residence that he had no association with. He set fire to cardboard and a propane canister on a desk inside the house, subsequently igniting a third fire in the yard by lighting three full garbage bags.
Witnesses intervened to extinguish the fires before significant damage occurred and awaited the arrival of firefighters. Travis fled while the fires were being put out, crossing a highway into an industrial zone, where he was seen starting another fire in a bush. Emergency services were alerted by witnesses, leading to Travis’s arrest nearby with two lighters still in his possession. Travis pleaded guilty to the three arson charges, one for each fire location, foregoing his right to a trial.
Sicotte commended Travis for saving the court considerable time and resources by accepting responsibility for his actions. A pre-sentence evaluation by a forensic psychologist revealed that Travis frequently experiences auditory hallucinations and displays symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. During the arson incidents, he was homeless, not adhering to prescribed psychiatric medication, and using crystal methamphetamine.
Travis provided minimal justification for his actions, suggesting suspicions of human trafficking in the city. Sicotte presumed Travis aimed to discipline or purify the city by setting it ablaze. Travis’s legal counsel informed the court that he expressed remorse after starting the fires. Following his arrest, Travis resided at a treatment facility under bail conditions.
In the sentencing decision, Travis was given a two-year, less than a day, prison term for the three arson convictions. With credit for the 91 days he spent in custody, equating to 136 days, his remaining sentence amounts to 593 days in custody. Post-release on probation, Travis is prohibited from consuming drugs or alcohol and possessing firearms, flammable, or explosive materials.