The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has determined that the wildfire that occurred at the Elephant Hill Provincial Park in BC was human-caused.
The fire, which began July 07, destroyed over 120 homes in BC’s interior, burning for 76 days and affecting the nearby Ashcroft, Boston Flats, Loon Lake and Pressy Lake areas. The fire grew to over 192,000 hectares in size – one of the province’s most devastating wildfires in recent years.
In a statement, the police said they are asking the public for any information about how and where the fire started. The RCMP has set up a dedicated tip line.
“Considering this fire directly affected tens of thousands of individuals and, even to this day, continues to have a very heavy impact on many individuals, we’re hoping someone might have some information that would move the investigation forward,” Cpl. Dan Moskaluk told CBC News.
“In many instances, it’s tips from the public that are the linchpin to investigations that then create quite a flow of advancement on our findings,” Moskaluk explained.
Even the smallest hint could help authorities piece together how the disaster happened, he added.
“We don’t want people to discount anything they feel could be inconsequential. Even if they feel they have information they doubt we need, don’t hesitate to call us.”
Moskaluk said that investigators are looking for anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area or has first-hand information about how the fire started sometime during July 06, adding that the investigation is a “high priority” for the force.
“Fires are a disaster event that happen on a large scale with many moving parts, so from an investigator’s view, it’s challenging. But we tackle this investigation as we do any investigation,” he remarked.
Moskaluk would not reveal details about how the RCMP believes the fire was sparked.
Last September, police announced that they had ruled out trains and rail work as possible causes for the fire.
Initially called the Ashcroft Reserve fire, the Elephant Hill wildfire ravaged parts of Boston Flats and destroyed 45 houses in July. When it spread further, it devastated 45 more homes in Loon Lake, and another 33 in Pressy Lake.
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