33-Year-Old Woman Charged in Connection With Two Grass Fires in Vernon

A 33-year-old woman has been charged with six serious offences in connection with two separate grass fires that occurred in Vernon, in B.C.’s Okanagan region, on Aug. 4.

According to Vernon North Okanagan RCMP, the first fire was reported on Kammenz Road near Bench Row Road in the afternoon. About 20 minutes later, a second fire was discovered at Carlson Park.

Following an investigation, police arrested 33-year-old Maria Benning Bear, a resident of West Kelowna, on Aug. 14.

She is facing six serious charges, including arson, mischief causing property damage, possession of incendiary material, wearing a disguise with intent to commit an offence, and breaching probation conditions.

Police say that amid the ongoing wildfire situation across the province, any suspicious fire, even a relatively small one, is being investigated promptly and seriously.