Cause of Summerland wildfire under investigation as RCMP examine reports of suspicious activity

The RCMP is investigating the cause of the Summerland Bald Range wildfire, according to a release on Monday. Investigators are seeking witnesses to provide information on any suspicious activities or actions that may have occurred around Princeton-Summerland Road and Bathville Road, near the Crump Recreation site and the Trout Creek Recreation site.

Police are also collecting any dashcam footage, videos, photos, and other relevant information from Friday, Aug. 7, particularly during the afternoon hours. The RCMP have identified a person in a video showing a non-lethal wildlife deterrent device (bear-banger) being lit, but this incident took place far from the wildfire's origin area.

The public is urged not to spread false information on social media. The wildfire ignited on Friday afternoon near Summerland, rapidly spreading and forcing thousands to evacuate. Sadly, an 80-year-old woman died while trying to escape the flames. The evacuation order remains in effect, and police continue to patrol the evacuated areas with checkpoints and patrolling officers.

One man was arrested within the evacuated area on Aug. 9. Residents with information about the wildfire's origin can contact the Penticton South Okanagan Similkameen Regional RCMP Detachment at 250-492-4300, or submit digital footage, videos, and photos to baldrangereporting@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.