Police investigate another suspicious fire in Coldstream

Over the past six-weeks, emergency crews have responded to four separate suspicious fires in Coldstream parks or wooded areas. On July 4th, 2024 at approximately 2:10 pm, frontline officers from the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP assisted the Coldstream Fire Department with 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. Police canvassed the area and spoke with numerous persons; however, no suspects or witnesses were identified.

Just last month, police investigated two suspicious fires near Cosen’s Bay that occurred on June 12th. At present, police did not identify any suspects and the investigation is on-going. In addition, on May 24th, the Coldstream Fire Department responded to a burning tree stump in Creekside Park near Kidston Road and Kalamalka Road. It is unknown whether any of these incidents are related.

These incidents are highly concerning and extremely dangerous to public safety said Cpl Tania Finn, Media Relations Officer with the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP. It wouldn’t have taken much for any of these fires to spread out of control and jeopardize nearby properties.

Police continue to investigate these suspicious fires and request anyone who was in the area of Coldstream Creek Road, Cosen’s Bay Road and Grieves Road on Thursday July 4th, 2024 between 1:45 pm to 2:00 pm with dashcam video to contact police. Witnesses are asked to contact Cst James Spoor at the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP.

If you have any information regarding any of these fires, please 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.