LAVINGTON PLANS | Public open house addresses environmental factors of proposed pellet plant [A7]
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Wednesday, July 16, 2014
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Crash claims teen
RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
RICHARD ROLKE
Morning Star Staff
LISA VANDERVELDE/MORNING STAR
Investigators have confirmed arson as the cause of the Kin Race Track grandstand fire.
Heat sparks Okanagan campfire ban RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
A summer tradition has been extinguished. Extremely dry and hot conditions have forced the provincial government and all municipalities and electoral areas to ban campfires. “It’s an issue of public safety and that’s our first priority,” said Melissa Welsh, with the provincial Kamloops Fire Centre. Melissa Welsh The Ministry of Forests’ open burning prohibition covers all B.C. parks and Crown and private land
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Arson confirmed Who is responsible for the destruction of Vernon’s Kin Race Track grandstand remains a mystery. Investigators have determined that arson, and not electricity, was the cause of the July 9 blaze that swept through the wooden structure. “I’m not aware of any suspects being identified through the investigation,” said Gord Molendyk, RCMP spokesperson. It also has not been determined if the grandstand fire is related to a rash of other arsons in the area. “We can’t say one way or the other,” said Molendyk. “We are looking at all of them to see if evidence ties them together but this one is different because of the size of the fire.” When asked if the police are reviewing potential links between the fire and community debate over the use of the property, Molendyk said, “We look at all aspects of every fire.” Electrical had to be ruled out as a potential cause because power upgrades to the grandstand had been ordered by the B.C. Safety Authority. Fire officials have stated that the electricity was turned off in the building. Public assistance to solve the case is still being sought. “We have had photographs and videos of the fire provided to us but if people have information on who is responsible for this fire or any of the fires, please come forward,” said Molendyk. “The community as a whole is concerned about the number of fires.”
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outside of areas with fire protection. Most communities are also banning campfires, including Vernon. “This step is being taken to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety,” said Tanya Laing Gahr, Vernon’s communications co-ordinator. Others initiating a ban are Lumby, the Regional District of North Okanagan, Spallumcheen, Lake Country, Enderby, the Splatsin First Nation, the Okanagan Indian Band, Armstrong, the Columbia-Shuswap Regional District and the Regional District of Central Okanagan. Open burning, other than with a permit, is not permitted in Coldstream at any time. The ban applies to open fires of any size, fires
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with a burn registration number, industrial burning, fireworks, tiki torches and burning barrels. The prohibition does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes. It was decided to ban campfires because if they spread, they divert firefighting resources away from blazes caused by lightning. “They (lighting) require more than initial attack crews. We need to cut down on humancaused fires,” said Welsh. Under provincial rules, anyone violating an open fire ban may be issued a ticket for up to $345. Anyone who causes a wildfire through arson or recklessness, may be fined up to $1 million, spend up to three years in prison and be accountable for associated firefighting costs.
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The investigation continues into an accident that claimed the life of a Vernon youth. On Sunday at about 11:10 p.m., a 17-year-old boy was riding his longboard at 39th Street and Okanagan Avenue when he was struck by a vehicle. He died from his injuries at Vernon Jubilee Hospital. “We have identified who the young person is and officers have spoken to family members,” said Gord Molendyk, RCMP spokesperson. It took some time to identify the individual because he did not have any identification on him. The coroner’s office has not released his name. It’s believed the incident may have occurred when the longboarder failed to stop at a stop sign. “It was dark at the time and the driver of the vehicle involved didn’t see him until it was too late to take evasive action,” said Molendyk. “It’s a very tragic situation.” The driver of the vehicle has co-operated with the police. RCMP continue to gather information about the case. “The crash analyst is working on the case and officers are conducting a mechanical inspection of the vehicle,” said Molendyk, adding that mechanical inspections are standard. “At the end of the day, there could possibly be a civil case or it goes to court and we are expected to answer questions in court so we do a thorough investigation because we don’t know what will happen in two or three years (with legal action).”
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