Totem pole set on fire on Vancouver Island in retaliation for statue removal Mounties are investigating after a totem pole was deliberately set on fire in Shawnigan Lake. The RCMP were contacted just after 4 am on Friday by a motorist who saw that a totem pole at the Malahat lookout was on fire. The Malahat Volunteer Fire Department was already on scene extinguishing the fire when officers arrived. Fresh graffiti was also located at the scene referencing the recent events in Victoria where a statue of James Cook was pulled down and thrown in the Victoria Harbour. “The quick thinking of the passing motorist likely saved not only the totem pole, but also a forest fire,” said Shawnigan lake RCMP Detachment Commander Sgt Tim Desaulniers.