The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP are investigating the “suspicious circumstances” surrounding two wildfires that may have been intentionally set in the Westwold area yesterday, May 2.

Spokesperson Const. Chris Terleski says police were  told about an unknown person who was lighting slash piles on fire – one on Douglas Lake Road and the on Westwold Station Forest Service Road.

“We’re incredibly concerned that someone would be intentionally starting these fires,” he said, in a statement.

“After the destruction and devastation caused by wildfires last year, we appreciate and understand how terribly unsettling this is for residents. We’re actively investigating the incidents and are appealing to the public for any information that may help us in furthering this investigation.”

Terleski says the RCMP were also told about a small blue pickup truck being driven by a woman that was seen leaving the vicinity of both fires. However, he says multiple frontline officers as well as an RCMP Air Services helicopter were unable to locate the vehicle.

“No additional information on the vehicle or suspect has been uncovered,” Terleski added.

That said, the owners of the Whistling Wind Ranch on Robins Range Road, east of Kamloops, took to twitter to say the vehicle in question may have been a dark blue 2005 Chevrolet Silverado with no “real identifying marks.”

People in the Westwold area who witnessed anything suspicious Monday afternoon, or with information about the fires or the small blue pickup truck, are being told to contact the Enderby office of the Vernon-North Okanagan RCMP and quote police file R2022-2366.

Actually suspect vehicle is a dark blue 2005 Chevy Colorado. With no real identifying marks. If you see a strange vehicle matching the description in these areas call it in, do not approach.

— Whistling Wind Ranch (@Whistling_Wind) May 3, 2022