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91ƵIncreasingly divisive issue91Ƶ: Ma says B.C. evacuations orders must be followed

Emergency Management Minister says equipment being moved can put the 91Ƶwhole unified strategy at risk91Ƶ
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Premier David Eby, left to right, looks on with B.C. Minister of Emergency Readiness Bowinn Ma, Federal Minister of Emergency Preparedness Harjit Sajjan and incident commander Brad Litke as Wildcat Helicopter pilot Folef Graafland goes over safety instructions before boarding to survey wildfire damage in the area at Wildcat Helicopters in West Kelowna, B.C., on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

B.C.91Ƶs Emergency Managament Minister Bowinn Ma says that while she understands it91Ƶs a remarkably difficult time for British Columbians living in areas under evacuation order, not evacuating can lead to even more risk.

During the latest update on the B.C. wildfire situation Wednesday (Aug. 23), Ma said she knows some people want to stay and fight the fires around their homes, but it is also her duty to be clear about the risks to people and emergency crews.

91ƵWhen unauthorized people are in evacuation areas it escalates the danger involved for everyone. It also limits the kind of wildfire fighting tactics that the BC wildfire service can deploy.91Ƶ

She said it directs critical resources away from the wildfire fight itself in searching for moved equipment, redoing work that91Ƶs already been done to set up structural protection or 91Ƶjust trying to manage an unpredictable situation made even more unpredictable by well-meaning but uncoordinated firefighting efforts.91Ƶ

It has become an 91Ƶincreasingly divisive issue91Ƶ within the community and outside.

91ƵLet me be clear, our collective fight is with the wildfire. But in order to do this, our effort needs to be united, we need to work together, not against each other.91Ƶ

In recent days, there have been issues with people not following evacuation orders, as well as firefighting equipment being stolen in the North Shuswap.

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Ma said BC Wildfire Service is 91Ƶactively working to open up a dialogue with those behind the lines who are refusing to leave to try to create an understanding of the seriousness of the situation.91Ƶ Officials are reaching out to skilled, experienced people in the Shuswap to try and incorporate them into their work.

91ƵWe can91Ƶt have equipment that91Ƶs been staged for firefighters being moved and it91Ƶs not there when it91Ƶs needed. That puts the whole unified strategy at risk and it puts people and their homes at risk.91Ƶ

Last week, BC Wildfire Service operations director Cliff Chapman said there were a few instances were wildfire service staff and RCMP had to go back into evacuation zones to get people out.

91ƵThat puts people91Ƶs lives at risk,91Ƶ said Chapman, adding it also takes a significant toll on staff trying to get people out of the way of fires moving 91Ƶat rates we rarely see in British Columbia.91Ƶ

READ MORE: RCMP helping to evacuate British Columbians, secure areas



lauren.collins@blackpress.ca

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Lauren Collins

About the Author: Lauren Collins

I'm a provincial reporter for Black Press Media's provincial team, after my journalism career took me around B.C. since I was 19 years old.
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