Melanie Cairns is a Professional Engineer and Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator with extensive experience in forensic electrical engineering and fire investigation. She has participated in and led more than 600 fire scene investigations and evidence examinations, specializing in determining the root causes of electrical failures, fires, and explosions in residential, commercial, industrial, and utility settings.

 

Throughout her career with Manitoba Hydro, Origin and Cause Inc., and SMS Engineering, Melanie has taken on leadership roles in complex, multi-party investigations involving high-value losses. She is skilled at coordinating multidisciplinary teams, managing evidence preservation, and delivering clear, defensible findings that support insurance claims and legal proceedings. Her approach combines technical rigor with collaborative problem-solving, ensuring that stakeholders receive accurate and timely results.

 

Melanie holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering and a Diploma in Electrical Engineering Technology from Lakehead University and is licensed as a Professional Engineer in Manitoba. She is an active member of the National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI) and applies NFPA 921 standards in her work.

 

As Regional Director for CAFI’s Prairie Region, Melanie is committed to fostering professional development, sharing best practices, and strengthening collaboration among fire investigation professionals to advance the quality and integrity of investigations across the region.