WATCH: Will officials be able to catch the person who may have sparked the Rock Creek wildfire? Julia Foy investigates.
Thirty homes have been destroyed by the fire near Rock Creek and officials are looking for a video that apparently shows how a massive wildfire that has destroyed 30 homes in the province’s southeast was sparked by a flicked cigarette.
Thomson said Monday that officials have heard about the video but have yet to see any evidence.
“We have no confirmation of (the video) at this time, but the investigation is ongoing and I would encourage anyone who has video to share it with the local RCMP or with our Wildfire Service,” he said.
Officials have placed coloured ribbons where they believe the fire started last week.
B.C. premier Christy Clark said on Sunday that there should be harsher penalties for people who carelessly cause wildfires.
“If you are found to have been throwing a cigarette butt out of your car, perhaps one of the penalties available should be that we should be able to take away the use of your car for a period of time,” she said.
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READ MORE: Full coverage of the wildfires in B.C.
The Rock Creek fire is 37 square kilometres in size and not contained. An evacuation alert and order remain in effect after hundreds of people were forced to leave the area.
About 100 campers from Kettle River Provincial Park were allowed to go back to their campsites on Sunday. Residents of nearby Midway are also still rolling up their sleeves to help out the evacuees.
“We’re trying so hard to give as much as we can because we know how hard it is to lose that much,” said R.J., one of the owners of the Bored Room Bistro. “They need help, it’s that simple.”
Highway 33 between Rock Creek and Beaverdell remains closed, but Highway 3 is open again in both directions.
-With files from Canadian Press
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