In Nelson, B.C., a man named David Travis has been given a two-year, less a day, custodial sentence for setting four separate fires at three different locations in the city during the intense 2024 wildfire season. Travis, aged 45, received his sentence in October at a provincial courtroom in Nelson, one year after being arrested for three arson charges. The sentencing report detailing Travis’s actions, the court’s decision, and his parole conditions were made public online in December. Upon release, Travis must adhere to the terms of a three-year probation, which includes staying at least 10 kilometers away from Nelson city.
During the sentencing, Judge Craig Sicotte highlighted the environmental conditions such as hot, dry weather and regional fire restrictions that exacerbated the severity of Travis’s crimes. Sicotte emphasized the extreme danger of intentionally igniting multiple fires in hazardous locations during such conditions, posing a significant risk of extensive property damage and potential loss of life.
On the day of the arsons, July 24, 2024, there were 91 active fires in B.C.’s West Kootenay region, with 66 burning uncontrollably. Several communities were under evacuation orders due to the fires, with thick smoke enveloping the area. Firefighters and resources from Nelson were deployed to assist affected communities, depleting resources within the city, as mentioned by Sicotte.
Travis initiated the first fire at Gyro Park in Nelson around 6:30 p.m. Two witnesses observed a man fleeing the scene, noting the lateral spread of the blaze, suggesting multiple ignition points. The fire quickly expanded to about 1,000 square meters before being extinguished by local firefighters and a helicopter equipped with a water bucket. Travis’s partially burned backpack containing lighters and a butane canister was recovered at the park.
While the Gyro Park fire was being contained, Travis intruded into an unconnected residence, setting fires inside and outside the home. Witnesses intervened to extinguish the flames before substantial damage occurred and awaited the arrival of firefighters. Travis fled the scene, crossed a highway into an industrial area, and ignited another fire in a bush, prompting witnesses to alert emergency services. He was apprehended nearby with two lighters in his possession.
Travis admitted guilt to the three arson counts, waiving his trial rights, a move praised by Sicotte for saving court resources and showing accountability. A pre-sentence evaluation by a forensic psychologist revealed Travis’s struggles with auditory hallucinations, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. At the time of the incidents, Travis was homeless, off prescribed psychiatric medication, and using crystal methamphetamine.
Sicotte noted Travis’s limited explanation for his actions, attributing them to suspicions of human trafficking in the city, presuming his intent to punish or cleanse the area by setting fires. Travis’s defense attorney conveyed his client’s remorse post-arson. Following his arrest, Travis has been residing in a treatment facility under bail conditions.
In the sentencing decision, Travis was handed a two-year, less a day, custodial term for the three arson convictions. Having served 91 days in custody already, he received credit for time served at a rate of 1.5, totaling 136 days, leaving him with 593 days remaining in custody. Upon release, Travis is barred from drug and alcohol consumption, as well as possessing firearms, flammable, or explosive materials during his probation period.