West Kelowna woman charged with arson in Vernon grass fires

A 33-year-old West Kelowna woman, Mariah Banning Baer, has been arrested and charged in connection with two grass fires in Vernon’s Commonage. The fires occurred on August 4 near Bench Row Road and in Carlson Park. Investigators determined the fires were intentionally set. Baer faces multiple Criminal Code charges, including arson in relation to inhabited property, arson in relation to property, possession of incendiary material, disguising her face with intent to commit an indictable offence, and breach of a probation order. She has been remanded in custody awaiting a bail hearing.

Separately, local government leaders in the Central Okanagan are advocating for stricter penalties for those who cause wildfires through negligence or intentional acts. Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas and other regional officials are calling on provincial and federal authorities to increase consequences to better protect communities. Dyas noted that approximately 46 per cent of wildfires between 2021 and 2026 were human-caused.