The BC Wildfire Service officially has a cause for a fire that burned through much of the BC Interior in 2017. 

According to Investigators with the service, the Elephant Hill wildfire, which started on July 6, 2017, ignited due to "smoking materials." The smoking materials classification includes matches, cigars, pipe tobacco, cigarettes, or marijuana. 

Photo Credit: Dalton Suzuki

After it sprouted 2.5 kilometres south of Ashcroft, the Elephant Hill fire tore through the Kamloops and Cariboo fire centres, burning 191,865 hectares in the process. 

Through investigation, potential causes for the fire were eliminated. These included lightning, an escaped campfire, open burning, arson, railroad work, vehicles, and electrical work. 

The service was aided in this investigation by RCMP. Both organizations did not uncover sufficient evidence to identify the person whose actions started the blaze.

No charges will be laid as a result of the fire. The investigation is now complete.