Wildfire that destroyed homes in Lake Country, B.C., believed human-caused: RCMP
LAKE COUNTRY, 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.”