Suspicious Stanley Park fires under investigation: Vancouver police

Vancouver police say they’re looking into what could be at least two suspicious fires in Stanley Park.

The Vancouver Police Department tells CityNews it was informed by Vancouver Fire Rescue Service Tuesday just before 7:30 a.m. about a fire near Second Beach.

That fire is believed to be the second suspicious fire “in recent days,” the VPD explains.

“We work closely with VFRS to investigate suspicious fires, and the circumstances will be reviewed by our Major Crime Section to identify suspects or find potential linkages to other suspicious fires,” an email from the department reads.

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So far, no suspects have been identified and no arrests have been made.

The investigation comes as the region continues to experience hot and dry conditions, further elevating the risk of fires.

With the August long weekend approaching, the Vancouver Park Board reminded visitors in a bulletin Tuesday to be extra vigilant in Stanley Park, warning that conditions in the area were “extremely dry” due to the weather and an ongoing infestation of looper moths.

The infestation has affected roughly a fifth of the park’s trees, the board said in its bulletin, adding that has led to “significant impacts” throughout the area.

In addition to the moths, persistent drought conditions experienced in most of B.C. have contributed to concerns, especially ahead of what’s expected to be a busy weekend for the park.

“We are urging all park users to practice extra caution with the fire risk in the park and to follow guidance from the Park Board and Vancouver Fire Rescue Services (VFRS) to support public safety and protect this world-famous greenspace,” the bulletin said.

Patrols of the park will be increased with “a particular focus on high-risk areas” for fires, the board advised. It is reminding people that smoking is prohibited in all of Vancouver’s parks and beaches.

-With files from Kate Walker and Greg Bowman