Update: RCMP Confirm Fire Cause Was Arson

Update: 12:22 pm

RCMP say the Okanagan Centre wildfire in Lake Country was intentionally set and is being considered an arson case.

“When the first news release came out, we were talking about human caused and suspicious in nature. The findings of the scene examination have led us to believe and conclusively indicate that this was an intentionally set fire, and is being considered as a criminal case of arson,” Cpl. Dan Moskaluk told a news conference in Kelowna.

Moskaluk says they have talked to one group that was recreating in the area of Okanagan Centre Road West that day, and are looking to talk to another group of adults that was also there, to see if they saw something.

“We’re also very interested in reviewing any cell phone footage, photos, and pictures that may have been captured by boaters or those that were on land that day, including dash cam footage from motorists,” adds Moskaluk.

The blaze destroyed eight homes and some outbuildings on Nighthawk and Tyndall Roads.

10 am story:

Police are ready to issue an update on the cause of the destructive Okanagan Centre wildfire in Lake Country earlier this month.

RCMP have called a news conference for noon in Kelowna to update their investigation into the July 15 blaze which burned down eight homes and some outbuildings on Nighthawk and Tyndall Roads.

At the peak of the fire, 330 properties were evacuated and 657 were on evacuation alert.

Police set up a dedicated tip line to encourage information last week (250 707 8025) after calling the fire suspicious and human caused.

It’s believed to have started on the side of Okanagan Centre Road West.

RCMP Cpl. Dan Moskaluk will be in charge of today’s media update at the RCMP detachment on Richter Street.