Officials investigating string of suspicious fires in Shuswap Lake area

The crew called for backup from the Scotch Creek and Anglemont Fire Departments, but the crew from Anglemont was called into action elsewhere.

“As the Anglemont truck was leaving the hall, that department was paged to a brush fire in the Anglemont Estates area, with a second call coming in shortly thereafter,” said the CSRD.

“Residents were also working to contain these fires when the Anglemont department arrived. The fire department worked to extinguish the two fires and ensure they did not spread and become a more serious safety concern for the community.”

Members of the three fire departments stayed on site overnight to patrol the area.

The CSRD said all five of the fires have been deemed suspicious and the RCMP have been brought in to investigate.

“We are asking anyone who may have been in the area and has dash camera or residential video surveillance footage to review their recordings for any activity that may assist the investigation,” said Chase RCMP spokesperson Constable Sarah Van Wilgenburg with Chase RCMP.

“Investigators are particularly interested in footage captured between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 5th, 2026.”

Nobody has been arrested in connection to the incidents at this time.

“I can say that we spoke to a number of suspects who were identified but no arrests have been made,” said Van Wilgenburg.

“We appreciate the efforts of community members in rapidly calling these fires into 911 and in taking action to help contain these fires,” said the CSRD.

“The CSRD also wants to acknowledge the amazing work by many of our fire departments over the past week. There have been frequent fire calls, many of which could have become very serious events without the intervention of our members.”

The CSRD said these events include:

A brush fire in Falkland on August 1
A structure fire in Tappen on August 2
A car fire in Scotch Creek on August 3
A structure fire in Seymour Arm on August 3
A brush and railway fire in Malakwa on August 4
A car fire in Eagle Bay on August 4

If you see a fire, the CSRD said you should call 911 immediately.

by Elora McCormack

Officials investigating string of suspicious fires in Shuswap Lake area

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