BURST
As major wildfires raged across the province in late August, police in Squamish arrested a 29-year-old man who officers allege started three fires, deliberately, near the Sea to Sky Highway.
The Squamish RCMP detachment was called about a fast-spreading fire on the west side of Highway 99 between Whistler and Squamish shortly after midnight on Aug. 22
Witnesses reported a man was involved in starting the fire, and a suspect was arrested and charged with arson.
Police, working with the B.C. Conservation Officer Service and B.C. Wildfire Service, confirmed three separate suspicious fires had been started along the north end of the Sea to Sky trail near Cheakamus Canyon. They have all been declared out by the wildfire service.
“The safety of our community and the protection of our natural landscapes are of paramount importance,” said Sgt. Jeff Shore. “With the province facing such a precarious fire season, these types of incidents are incredibly concerning.”
B.C.’s wildfire season has since taken a positive turn, with the provincial state of emergency lifted on Aug. 27, over 100 fires declared out in the past week and no wildfires of note as of Sept. 4. However, 134 fires are still listed as burning by the B.C. Wildfire Service website as of Friday, with 13 of those out of control.
Anyone who was in the area of the Sea to Sky Highway around Aug. 22 who has relevant dashcam footage or photographs, or who has information about the fires or suspect, is asked to contact the Squamish RCMP at 604-892-6100.