Five fires that broke out in Hedley on the weekend were deliberately set, according to Princeton RCMP Sergeant Barry Kennedy.
Two grass fires was set Friday night in the area, one two kilometers west of town alongside Highway 3, and one at the community’s ball park, he said.
Sunday night three more fires were set near Highway 3. The first blaze was lit about 10 pm at the intersection of the highway and Nickel Plate Road.
“Five minutes later there was another fire set on Highway 3 one kilometer east of Hedley and five minutes later another grass fire was set at the rest area one kilometer west of Hedley.
Each fire was extinguished quickly by the Hedley Fire Department, he said. BC Wildfire also assisted.
Kennedy said police have determined cigarette butts were not the source of ignition in the cluster of fires.
“We are looking for anyone who noticed anything suspicious like vehicles parked on the side of the road, people walking on the side of the road.”
Kennedy said the person or persons who set the fire might have been spotted in the ditches or in the grass.
“The potential for those fires to race across the dry land was pretty good,” said Kennedy.
“This is a very dangerous situation and our fire resources are taxed to the maximum right now.”
Anyone with information about these fires is urged to contact RCMP 250-295-6911.
