Okanagan Indian Band Chief Byron Louis said those disobeying evacuation orders are 91裸聊视频渘othing but selfish91裸聊视频� and they won91裸聊视频檛 be provided structural protection if the White Rock Lake wildfire continues to advance.
As of Friday afternoon (Aug. 6), the 43,500-hectare fire is burning only five kilometres west of Westside Road and more than 1,050 members of OKIB have already been evacuated, some having to travel to Penticton to find accommodations.
In a 1 p.m. update, the band said the fire is likely to reach the Whiteman area by this evening.
91裸聊视频淎s of this moment, we haven91裸聊视频檛 lost any buildings to the fire, but that could change today,91裸聊视频� the update reads.
Reports, however, of people refusing to abide by evacuation orders have Louis, an evacuee himself, frustrated.
91裸聊视频淭here should be a requirement that they do have to move,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淭hey put our emergency response, firefighters and police at jeopardy.91裸聊视频�
BC Wildfire Services and structural protection units can91裸聊视频檛 drop water or retardant on occupied homes, Louis said, which means neighbours and the community as a whole will be affected by individuals who choose to stay behind.
91裸聊视频淒o these people have a right to jeopardize us?91裸聊视频� he asked, noting everyone else under the order who evacuated as instructed would have their homes put at risk due to the actions of one.
BC Wildfire Services and RCMP said people refusing to abide by orders put themselves and first responders at risk.
91裸聊视频淏ut those who chose to stay put my staff at tremendous risk in the path of the fire to get them out of harm91裸聊视频檚 way,91裸聊视频� BC Wildfire Services incident commander Scott Rennick said Thursday, Aug. 5. 91裸聊视频淒o not put my people in the position that some others did today.91裸聊视频�
If a first responder were to lose their life in a rescue mission involving someone who refused to follow orders, Louis said that individual should be held responsible whether it91裸聊视频檚 jail time or fines.
91裸聊视频淚ndividuals do not have the right to jeopardize others91裸聊视频� lives,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 like neighbours don91裸聊视频檛 think they have any effect. People basically have no feelings for anyone but themselves. Why should we coddle them?91裸聊视频�
The Okanagan Indian Band had started its community emergency plan when it flooded four years ago and evacuation protocol was established. Then, the band had to manage the COVID-19 pandemic.
91裸聊视频淣ow all of a sudden we have fires,91裸聊视频� Louis said, noting those experiences helped prepare the band91裸聊视频檚 emergency protocols and support services.
91裸聊视频淥ur ESS has been exceptional and our staff 91裸聊视频� from communications to logistics to firefighting coordination 91裸聊视频� those people are phenomenal.91裸聊视频�
Louis also gave a grateful nod to his counterparts in neighbouring jurisdictions, including the Regional District of North Okanagan, the City of Vernon, Thompson-Nicola Regional District and beyond.
For up-to-date information regarding evacuation orders and alerts in place for the , visit or Okanagan Indian Band on Facebook 91裸聊视频� but Chief Louis says don91裸聊视频檛 use that social media platform to air out your own grievances.
91裸聊视频淥ur website is not a place for your personal views whether you are a member or non-member,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淒o not use our site for venting personal views.91裸聊视频�
READ MORE:
READ MORE:
newsroom@vernonmorningstar.com
Like us on and follow us on .
