Kamloops RCMP are investigating a series of fires that sparked overnight near Knutsford.
Spokesperson Const. Crystal Evelyn tells NL News that RCMP were called to fires at both the 3.5km mark and the 10km mark of Goose Lake Road at about 11:50 p.m. Tuesday.
“So fire had the scene under control very quickly and no homes were evacuated as a result,” she said.
“According to the report, something had been discarded from the window of a white Mazda 6 that was observed on the roadway earlier, but police have been unable so far to confirm what exactly was discarded or if its related.”
Kamloops Fire Platoon Captain Wade Lindoff tells NL News that crews were back before 5 a.m. this morning.
“It came in as a hay field on fire near a residences, so information for us that they were evacuating the house,” he said. “We did send some trucks and man power up there to have a look at what we did.”
“There was a grass fire. It did involve a few acres so we had five apparatus and 12 persons on the call for a few hours.”
Evelyn says police patrols in the area looking for that white Mazda did not turn up anything. She also confirms police were later told about two smaller fires along Long Lake Road that were spotted around the same time.
“Police are interested in speaking with the driver of the white Mazda or its occupants as part of their investigation, and at this time, its unknown if the fires are suspicious,” she added.
In a statement, the BC Wildfire Service says there were five suspected human-caused fires in the Knutsford area in total, the largest of which was four hectares in size.
“The BC Wildfire Service is urging British Columbians to be responsible, remain extremely cautious & do what they can to prevent human-caused wildfires,” the statement said. “Human-caused wildfires divert essential resources that are needed on fires caused by lightning and are larger in size.”
If you have information, Evelyn says to call Kamloops RCMP and reference file numbers 2021-23884.
– With files from Bill Cowen
#BCWildfire Service is urging British Columbians to be responsible, remain extremely cautious & do what they can to prevent human-caused wildfires. Human-caused wildfires divert essential resources that are needed on fires caused by lightning and are larger in size.
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) July 14, 2021
