A family of four from California was killed in a fiery crash on Highway 93 in B.C.'s Kootenay National Park on Friday, police say.

The victims have been identified as a family of four — a husband and wife, along with their two children — vacationing from Palo Alto, Calif.

Police have not released their names, but a family member has identified them as Robert Howard, 49, Ana-Maria Dias, 50, and their children Samantha, 11, and Veronica, 9.

Police say the family was driving north in a Dodge camper van towing a Suzuki Sidekick compact when a flatdeck tractor trailer unit driving in the opposite direction crossed the centre line and jackknifed into the van's path.

The impact of the crash caused all three vehicles to catch fire. Joshua Estabrooks/Columbia Valley Pioneer

The truck and trailer units pinned the van against the barriers, police said, and caused the vehicles to ignite.

Police say it appeared the driver of the van was unable to avoid the collision.

Witnesses were able to help the truck driver out of his vehicle, but could not help those in the van because of the intensity of the fire.

The driver of the truck was detained at the scene and later released without charges.

Centre of the community

Cindy Howard, Robert Howard's sister-in-law, said the family was notified early Saturday.

"It's just devastating," she said. "They both were not only kind of the centre of our family, but the centre of the community."

Howard remembered her brother-in-law as a "brilliant" engineer who was always fixing things — and improving upon them.

"Ana-Maria … exuded warmth and generosity and hospitality," Howard said. "She was always very positive, very upbeat, energetic. She could do the work of five people. She just was always working hard."

Howard said the family was camping in B.C. — an activity they all loved.

Comments posted on a memorial website dedicated to the family offered condolences and shared memories of the family.

"Our deepest condolences to the family," one post reads. "We cannot express in words the sadness that we feel for your loss and our community’s loss."

Another person wrote: "Ana Maria, you were an amazing person, always active and present for everyone. We will miss you so so much."

Another said: "We are just heartbroken to learn about the accident. Much love during this time to their families."

One person remembered Samantha as "a peppy girl, so helpful and happy all the time."

Investigators are asking anyone who saw the vehicles prior to the crash, or who might have video footage or photographs of the crash, to contact the RCMP East Kootenay in Cranbrook.