Okanagan fire likely caused by people, RCMP says

LA K E CO UNTR Y, B. C . A fast-moving wildfire in British Columbia’s Okanagan region that quickly engulfed eight homes and damaged 30 other properties is believed to be human-caused, RCMP said Friday.

More than 900 properties on the shore of Okanagan Lake in the community of Lake Country were evacuated or placed on alert July 15 after the blaze broke out along the side of a road. Officials contained the flames earlier this week and allowed the remaining residents at 58 properties to go home.

Cpl. Dan Moskaluk said RCMP resources from several jurisdictions have been pooled to conduct an in-depth investigation into the cause of the fire. A tip line has also been set up to encourage anyone with information to contact police.

“At this time we are treating this fire as suspicious and believe it to be human-caused,” Moskaluk said in a statement. “As is the case with many investigations, it is information from the public that solves them.”

It has been two weeks since wildfires in British Columbia escalated dramatically and prompted the province to declare a state of emergency. Premier John Horgan has extended the order for another two weeks as more than 43,000 people remain out of their homes.

More than 3,600 square kilometres of land have been scorched by 716 fires since April 1. The toll to property is still being determined, but close to 90 structures have been confirmed destroyed.

About 167 fires were burning on Friday, 32 of those started a day before, primarily by lightning.