Where’s the video? Wildfire sparks ‘rumour’
ROCK CREEK, B.C. Days after a wildfire destroyed 30 homes in southeast British Columbia, rumoured video of a tossed cigarette that sparked the blaze hasn’t been found.
The Forests Ministry said Tuesday that investigators have reviewed the nearest highway camera in Rock Creek, about two kilometres from the spot where the fire broke out.
Ministry spokeswoman Vivian Thomas said a BC Wildfire Service investigator spoke to a resident who reported the existence of a video but no footage has been located.
“No one has come forward with a video related to how the Rock Creek fire was started,” Thomas said.
She said anyone with information, photos or video should contact the wildfire service or the RCMP.
Fire information officer Mike McCulley said the video is “a rumour, as far as we can tell.”
“There’s no video at this time. We have investigators working with the RCMP and they are actively pursuing any leads they can find so we can try to resolve this issue.”
He said investigators have not determined that a cigarette sparked the 37square kilometre blaze but it is likely human-caused.
“That’s something that is unacceptable,” he said. “We need the public to pay really close attention to what they’re doing out there.
“We have to have our resources available for lightning-caused fires and you can see the tragedy that happens when preventable human-caused fires occur.”
The Rock Creek blaze was sparked last Thursday just north of the junction of highways 3 and 33.
An evacuation order remains for 137 homes, down from 333 last week, but the aggressive fire still has not been contained.
Premier Christy Clark was asked about a possible video during a news conference Sunday outside an evacuation centre in nearby Midway.
She said she didn’t know if any footage existed but if an individual is found to have caused the devastating blaze, they will face consequences.
Clark called for tougher penalties for people who start wildfires. Currently, the maximum fine for tossing a cigarette is $173, but anyone found to have caused a fire may be ordered to pay firefighting costs.