RCMP says evidence indicates Cumberland County grass fires intentionally set

Nova ScotiaCumberland County District RCMP are looking to speak with witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage following grass fires earlier this week.Police are investigating several suspicious firesAnjuli Patil · CBC News · Posted: Aug 15, 2025 3:04 PM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours agoCumberland County District RCMP are investigating suspicious fires near Oxford, N.S., that they believe were intentionally set. (Jeorge Sadi/CBC)Cumberland County District RCMP say grass fires along two stretches of road near Oxford, N.S., on Wednesday were deliberately set.Police were called to the area to help with traffic and warn residents of a possible need to evacuate.Fire crews and Natural Resources worked together to control the flames along Highway 204 near Birchwood, N.S., and along Jungle Road, police said in a news release.”These were absolutely set by someone or several people at the same time,” said RCMP Cpl. Troy Gill in an interview.Gill said it looked like some kind of accelerant was used.”We don’t know what type of accelerant — if they were fireworks or gasoline or kerosene or anything of that nature — so that’s what we’re trying to gather from our investigation so far,” Gill said.Natural Resources is also investigating.RCMP are looking to speak to witnesses or anyone who may have dashcam footage of the following areas: Highway 321 around Oxford Junction between 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 13. Highway 204 around Birchwood, N.S., between 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 13. Jungle Road from Highway 321 to Thomson Road between 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 13. Anonymous tips can be shared with Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).Gill said it’s unsettling to know someone would be setting fires intentionally, especially when conditions are so dry. He said the fires not only threaten lives, but also livelihoods.”Cumberland County is a big farmland community and they rely on [it], whether it be cattle, sheep and horses as well,” he said. “Not only are these people who are setting these fires putting people’s lives and their homes at risk, they’re also putting the animals at risk as well, which is very concerning for the RCMP.”