An Okanagan MP has implied on his social media that Canada’s adversaries are behind wildfires in the country without evidence.

Vernon-Lake Country-Monashee Conservative MP Scott Anderson took to social media after a meeting with European diplomats in Ottawa, leaving with concerns about Russian aggression in the so-called grey-zone conflict, falling just shy of warfare.

“I’ve often wondered who is behind the rash of arsons launching wildfires right here in Canada,” he said in a social media post.

Grey-zone activities can range from cyberattacks and funding proxy militaries to economic pressure and disinformation campaigns. Whether setting wildfires is a tactic appears to lack evidence, to which Anderson admitted.

Asked about the statement, Anderson said he has “no explicit evidence” of a scheme to set wildfires in Canada.

He added that Western allies are aware of Russian and Chinese grey-zone activities and that it’s a “verifiable fact” arson is involved in “numerous” wildfires.

Some European leaders have blamed Russia for numerous other fires in recent weeks with many targeting ammunition warehouses and weapon manufacturers, many in Eastern Europe.

Russia’s latest actions include more outright aggression, and it’s those that Anderson may have referred to when he said they have fallen short of tripping NATO’s Article 5, which would compel military allies to come to their aid following an attack.

As for Canadian wildfires, up to half are typically caused by humans, but the specific source of the fires varies and is most often accidental.

In BC, humans caused 36 per cent of wildfires over the past ten years, 7% were undetermined and the rest were caused by lightning. Less than 4% of all wildfires were intentional or at least suspicious, according to BC Wildfire Service.