A suspect has been arrested in connection with a series of fires that occurred in the early morning hours Tuesday, along the Galloping Goose Trail, west of Sooke River Road.
On May 30th, Sooke Fire Rescue responded to the scene and quickly extinguished the fires, preventing them from spreading to the nearby forests.
The fires, an 8-foot by 8-foot brush fire and a fully involved tree fire reaching about 25 feet up, were determined to have been intentionally set.
Sooke Fire Rescue immediately notified the Sooke RCMP, who launched an arson investigation.
Through evidence and on-scene observations, a suspect was identified, leading to the arrest of a 28-year-old woman with no fixed address later that day.
The collaborative efforts of Sooke Fire Rescue and the Sooke RCMP have received commendation from Mayor Maja Tait.
Sooke Fire Chief Ted Ruiter emphasized the heightened risk of forest fires, especially during the unseasonably dry conditions.
“The current danger rating is high in Sooke which means fires can start easily and challenge fire suppression efforts. The timely response of the career staff, as we transition to a 24/7 resource model, helped ensure the best outcome of this event,” said Ruiter.
Sooke RCMP Sergeant Kevin Shaw expressed appreciation for the combined efforts of the District of Sooke’s Community Safety Team and urged anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area of Sooke Potholes, Sooke River Road, or Galloping Goose Trail between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. on Tuesday May 30th, to contact Sooke RCMP.
