Smoky Lake man charged with 23 arsons by RCMP forestry unit

A Smoky Lake-area man is facing 23 counts of arson in the wake of two dozen fires dating back to 2012.

The charges come after an “indepth” investigation by the Alberta RCMP’s forestry crimes unit, created in January to probe suspicious fires.

“This is a good success already for this unit,” RCMP Cpl. Laurel Scott said Wednesday.

The unit — with the help of Alberta Agriculture and Forestry along with Smoky Lake County Emergency Services — began looking into a series of fires in the Smoky Lake area and identified a suspect earlier this month.

On May 4, police identified the suspect and a vehicle after a grass fire on Range Road 171 east of Smoky Lake, a town of just under 1,000, about 115 km northeast of Edmonton.

The suspect was then spotted lighting a fire on May 15, said police. A man was arrested May 17.

Scott said the two-person RCMP forestry crimes unit was created to investigate forest fires, and works with provincial forestry and agriculture officials.

In a Wednesday news release, RCMP Insp. Adrian Marsden said Alberta Sheriffs, Smoky Lake County Emergency Services, Edmonton city police and Smoky Lake RCMP were involved in the investigation.

“If the forestry crimes unit can be instrumental in preventing any future fires, and hold those who start fires accountable, then this initiative is a success,” he said.

Daniel Kromm, 42, is charged with multiple counts of arson dating back to 2012.

Kromm was not granted bail and remains in custody. He is set to appear in Fort Saskatchewan provincial court May 31.