Police in Sooke say they’ve made an arrest in connection to suspicious fires, including one that left a tree fully involved in flames.
On Tuesday, a 28-year-old woman was taken into custody following two separate fires just west of Sooke River Road that happened that same day.
Sooke Fire Rescue was initially called out to the Galloping Goose Trail, and when authorities arrived, they located the fires.
The first was a brush fire, covering an area of eight by eight feet, and the other was a “fully involved” tree with flames reaching 25 feet up its trunk. Firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze and prevent it from spreading across the tree’s canopy.
“The current danger rating is high in Sooke,” said Sooke’s Fire Chief Ted Ruiter. “Which means fires can start easily and challenge fire suppression efforts … particularly during the unseasonable dry conditions, the risk of a forest fire is high.”
Following the call and given the nature of the location, Sooke Fire Rescue notified the Sooke RCMP.
Police initiated an arson investigation and determined that the two fires were set deliberately.
Later that day, a woman of no fixed address was taken into custody by police.
The joint efforts of Sooke Fire and Sooke RCMP are to be commended,
said Mayor Maja Tait.
Police are seeking anyone that was in the area of the Sooke Potholes, Sooke River Road or the Galloping Goose Trail between 5 and 6 a.m. on May 30.
If you were in any of those three areas at that time, contact Sooke RCMP at (250) 642-5241.
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