Image Credit: Global News

By Adel Ahmed

WILDFIRE SEASON 2023

BC Wildfire Service says crews returned to the Shuswap after safety concerns met

Aug 24, 2023 | 4:56 PM

KAMLOOPS — Tensions were high as a large group of people with food and supplies confronted a police roadblock along Highway 1 in the Shuswap Wednesday (Aug. 23). They were hoping to gain access and bring supplies to support those in the North Shuswap, caught within the perimeter of an evacuation order.

As the confrontation was building, the BC Wildfire Service said in a social media message that it was pulling resources from the area due to safety concerns, but later deleted the post.

“We made that post based on information received from RCMP and other partners,” said Forrest Tower, Information Officer with BC Wildfire. “Simultaneously as we posted it, we received information from RCMP that the situation they were describing was not as serious in the moment.”

Tower says the reason behind pulling resources in the area was due to a safety concern for the wildfire crews.

“Crews were reassigned temporarily but they’re still working on the fire. It was not only related to that. There were a number of considerations made and continue to be folded into our decisions going forward.”

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Tower says crews and resources that were removed from the area have since been sent back.

“Everyone is working towards the same goal, trying to put out the fire. There are lots of skilled individuals there but just need a little bit of organization and that’s what we’re working towards right now.”