Authorities believe a Canada Day grass fire in Vernon, B.C., was likely sparked by illegal fireworks. Vernon North Okanagan RCMP said flames erupted near Bella Vista Road and Okanagan Hills Boulevard around 11 p.m. Tuesday, but were quickly contained by firefighters. No nearby properties were threatened, authorities said. While the cause of the fire remain under investigation, the RCMP has labelled it as suspicious. “Evidence gathered at the scene led police to believe illegal fireworks were the cause,” said Cpl. Tania Finn, in a statement. “The evidence was seized for testing by our Forensic Identification Section.” Witnesses also reported seeing two people on a dirt bike, both wearing full-face helmets, in the area around the time the fire broke out. The RCMP asked anyone with information on the fire – or dash-cam video captured on Bella Vista Road late Tuesday – to contact the Vernon North Okanagan detachment.
