The chief of the Penticton Indian Band is urging the provincial and federal governments to prioritize wildfire preparedness to help protect communities across B.C., including those in the Okanagan threatened by increasingly large fires.
The BC Wildfire Service said Monday the out-of-control Bald Range wildfire had grown to an estimated 15,590 hectares, up from 13,618 hectares a day earlier.
BCWS said crews were working to limit further growth, including efforts to keep the fire south of the Trout Creek drainage and establish a contingency line near Summerland Golf Course.
Chief Greg Gabriel said dozens of incidents like this across B.C. and the country should provide more than enough evidence that climate events are changing for the worse every year. He said it’s time for politicians and decision-makers to start pushing for solutions sooner.
“You look back at this past winter and I think we had one snowfall, you look at the past number of years on the number of heat events we have been experiencing.”
“That message needs to get out to politicians [and] decision makers; start really focusing on how we can really change that.”
Gabriel added he understands the fear felt by those who were forced from their homes, but he wants those affected by the orders to know crews are doing everything possible to help people return to their communities.
“Obviously, when these kinds of tragic situations happen it creates a lot of fear and panic in everyone. When you are issued an evacuation order, or even an alert, it gets your mind and adrenaline pumping.”
“As of Monday, we had 50 members up there, our own equipment up there building guards, and we are all working together to keep our communities safe.”
