(Image credit: Facebook/Jeff Rosner).

By Aaron Schulze

Roadblock Confrontation

No arrests made from Highway 1 roadblock near Sorrento

Aug 24, 2023 | 10:48 AM

SORRENTO, B.C. — No arrests were made, and no charges are expected after a confrontation at a roadblock on Highway 1 in the Shuswap Wednesday (Aug. 23) evening.

In a news release, RCMP say its Chase detachment were told of a large group of people assembled with food and supplies meant for an area in the North Shuswap under an evacuation order. Police say it appeared their intentions were to overwhelm the roadblock at Highway 1 near Sorrento and enter the area.

“Increased police presence has been in place in response to ongoing efforts by some individuals who have undermined the BC Wildfire Service’s suppression work on the Bush Creek East wildfire in the Shuswap by moving equipment and physically threatening emergency personnel,” reads the release from the RCMP.

Multiple communities within the Columbia Shuswap Regional District, including Highway 1 between Chase and Sorrento, are on evacuation order due to the Bush Creek East wildfire, along with damage to powerlines and unstable trees and structures.

“While we understand and sympathize with the residents of the North Shuswap, there is a process in place through the local Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) that needs to be followed to ensure the safety of everyone,” Cpl. James Grandy, Southeast District RCMP spokesperson says. “When the EOC deems it safe to do so, they can issue passes into the area to support a resupply. Fortunately, our officers are well trained, were able to de-escalate and the situation was quickly resolved safely without incident.”

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Cutting carbon emissions can be easy and accessible to Kamloops residents

19h ago

Question of the Week

Do you have confidence in the vote-counting carried out by Elections BC?

Oct 28, 2024

Week in Review

Week in Review: Week of Oct. 21

Oct 26, 2024

In an update Thursday morning, the BC Wildfire Service says it will communicate with the RCMP and the CSRD and “determine operational activities throughout the rest of today, tomorrow, and going forward.” Wildfire crews will focus on the Little Shuswap Lake area, the Loakin Valley and the Turtle Valley.

DriveBC says Highway 1 between Chase and Sorrento remains closed until at least 8 a.m. Friday.