RCMP believe arson to be behind 29 separate wildfires in interior BC

The RCMP, as well as the BC Wildfire Service, are currently investigating a series of wildfires that have taken place over the past four years in the Okanagan Valley.

Over this period of time, 29 wildfires were reported in Naramata, Okanagan Falls, Osoyoos, Oliver, Penticton, Summerland, and Lake Country.

BC RCMP

According to a statement by the RCMP, “evidence gathered during the course of the investigations into these fires have led investigators to believe that they are connected and that the cause was determined to be arson.”

The RCMP explains that a “Southeast District RCMP Intentionally Set Wildfires Task Force” was created in May 2018 to further investigate the wildfires and identify the person(s) responsible. Members of the task force work with BC Wildfire Service and impacted stakeholders.

Sgt. Annie Linteau of the RCMP comments that “the majority of these fires were lit in interface settings” and that one of these fires “destroyed a number of homes.” While luckily no one was injured, “the potential for the loss of life was considerable.”

The 29 wildfires include the following incidents stretching back to July 7, 2014:

July 7, 2014, K50209, Naramata
July 7, 2014, White Lake Rd, Penticton
July 9, 2014, Richter Pass, Osoyoos
July 15, 2014, Mt. Kobau, Oliver
July 15, 2014, Apex Rd, Penticton
July 17, 2014, Reservoir Rd / Landfill Rd, Penticton
July 22, 2014, White Lake Rd, Okanagan Falls
August 11, 2014, Chute Lake Rd, Naramata
August 11, 2014, Green Mountain Rd, Penticton
August 13, 2014, White Lake Rd, Penticton
August 19, 2014, North Naramata Rd, Naramata
September 15, 2014, Green Mountain Rd, Penticton
July 2, 2015, Canyon View Rd, Summerland
August 7, 2015, Pampas Grass Way, Oliver
August 8, 2015, Spiller Rd, Penticton
August 11, 2015, Commonage Rd, Lake Country
August 11, 2015, Beaver Lake Rd, Lake Country
August 12, 2015, Gulch Rd, Naramata
August 14, 2015, White Lake Rd, Penticton
April 9, 2016, Fairview-Cawston Rd, Cawston
August 17, 2016, Commonage Rd, Lake Country
August 17, 2016, Oyama Rd, Lake Country
July 3, 2017, Pixie Beach, Lake Country
July 15, 2017, Okanagan Centre Rd W, Lake Country
September 1, 2017, Westhills Rd, Penticton
September 1, 2017, Old Princeton Hwy, Summerland

See also