Coldstream Creek Road at Cosens Bay Road in Coldstream where latest suspicious fire was located on July 4. (Google Maps photo)

By Pete McIntyre

RCMP

Police concerned about series of suspicious fire in Coldstream

Jul 9, 2024 | 11:27 AM

Several recent suspicious fires in the Coldstream area are being called “highly concerning and extremely dangerous” by RCMP.

Police say there have been four separate suspicious fires in parks or wooded areas of the municipality over the last six weeks.

The most recent was on Thursday, July 4 at approximately 2:10 p.m., when the Coldstream Fire Department responded to a brush fire in the 9700 block of Coldstream Creek Road after smoke was seen coming from a wooded ravine area.

“Though no known cause was determined, police and fire personnel believe the fire was human-caused,” RCMP Cpl. Tania Finn said. “Police canvassed the area and spoke with numerous persons; however, no suspects or witnesses were identified.”

In June, police investigated two suspicious fires near Cosens Bay that occurred on June 12. No suspects have been identified in those incidents with the investigations ongoing.

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In addition, on May 24, the Coldstream Fire Department responded to a burning tree stump in Creekside Park near Kidston Road and Kalamalka Road.

Police say it’s unknown if any of the fires are related.

“These incidents are highly concerning and extremely dangerous to public safety,” Finn, the media relations officer with the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP, said. “It wouldn’t have taken much for any of these fires to spread out of control and jeopardize nearby properties.”

As part of their investigation, police are asking anyone who was in the area of Coldstream Creek Road, Cosens Bay Road and Grieves Road on Thursday, July 4 between 1:45 p.m. to 2 p.m. with dashcam video to contact police.

Witnesses are asked to contact Const. James Spoor at the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP.

If you have any information regarding any of these fires, contact the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP non-emergency line of 250-545-7171. Or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or leaving a tip online at www.nokscrimestoppers.com. You do not have to reveal your identity to Crime Stoppers. If you provide information that leads to an arrest, you could be eligible for a cash reward.