Premier Christy Clark spoke in Oliver Sunday, expressing her thanks to firefighters. From left are Janette Van Vianen, who co-ordinated the Emergency Reception Centre; Steve Thomson, minster of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations; Premier Clark; and Linda Larson, MLA for Boundary-Similkameen. (Lyonel Doherty photo)
B.C. Premier Christy Clark stopped in Oliver Sunday morning to personally thank firefighters for risking their safety to save the community from two dangerous wildfires.
Clark also sharply criticized the operator of a drone spotted in the skies over Oliver on Sunday, which resulted in fire crews and equipment being grounded for more than six hours Sunday afternoon.
Clark shook the hand of members of the Oliver Fire Department and their families during a quick visit to the Oliver Community Centre, where members of town council and emergency social services were gathered.
When Clark reached Fire Chief Dan Skaros at the end of the line, he immediately said, “I’m a hugger,” and gave the premier a big one.
Clark then personally thanked Dan’s wife, Karen, for showing so much support for her husband during the crisis.
“Thanks for everyone coming together. It is times like this in B.C. that we know what we’re made of. We’re so lucky to have these volunteers,” said Clark.
Clark did express her disappointment upon learning that forestry aircraft were grounded south of Oliver for more than six hours over the weekend because of a drone (flying robot that takes photographs) in the area.
The premier said when drones halt firefighting efforts, people may be losing their homes. So she urged people not to use the drones under any circumstance in areas where air crews are working.
Clark spoke to members of town council about educating people on the hazards of throwing cigarette butts out the window or idling their mufflers in dry grass.
The RCMP and the BC Wildfire Service are continuing their search for the person responsible for operating a drone that halted firefighting efforts in Oliver, jeopardizing the safety of numerous area residents.
On Sunday afternoon, aircraft being used to battle the Testalinden Creek and Wilson Mountain wildfires were grounded due to an unmanned aerial vehicle (or drone) reported flying over the fires.
Eight helicopters and five fixed-wing aircraft that were supporting ground crews were grounded, which significantly impacted fire suppression operations.
BC Wildlife Service spokesperson Noelle Kekula said one of the pilots spotted the drone and communicated that to other pilots, who had to land for safety reasons.
She said the drone posed significant risk to air personnel and ground crews because of the potential for a mid-air collision.
Kekula said an RCMP helicopter searched for the drone, but could not find it.
Fire suppression operations resumed after that.
All wildfires are considered to be “flight restricted” as per Canadian Air Regulations, she said.
The area restricted for aircraft such as drones is within a radius of five nautical miles around the fire and to an altitude of 3,000 feet above ground level, she said.
The operation of any aircraft not associated with suppression activities within this area is illegal.
This aerial activity is dangerous and poses a significant safety risk to personnel, especially when low-flying firefighting aircraft are present, said Kekula.
Transport Canada and the BC Wildfire Service explicitly prohibit the use of drones of any size near a wildfire.
Clark said it would be a real tragedy if there was a loss of property or life because the operator of the drone in question forced rescue efforts to be halted.
Her government is considering implementing severe penalties for drivers who get caught discarding cigarette butts from their vehicles and drone operators who disobey regulations, said Clark.
As of Tuesday morning, the Testalinden Creek wildfire was estimated to cover approximately 1,600 hectares and was 40 per cent contained. A total of 80 firefighters, four pieces of heavy equipment, seven helicopters and air support were working on the fire. Crews worked on the fire overnight.
It was previously confirmed that one home was damaged by the blaze.
The Wilson Mountain Road wildfire was estimated at approximately 317 hectares and was 70 per cent contained. A total of 28 firefighters with air support continue work on this fire to increase containment.
Continuous updates on the fires can be found on the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen website for details: http://www.rdos.bc.ca/news-events/eoc/current-eoc/
Both of these fires remain active and the BC Wildfire Service asks the public and media to not enter areas that crews are working in,.
To report a wildfire or open burning violation, call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, visit: http://www.bcwildfire.ca.
LYONEL DOHERTY
Special to the Times
B.C. Premier Christy Clark gives a warm hug to Oliver Fire Department Chief Dan Skaros during her visit to Oliver this past Sunday morning. Clark, Boundary-Similkameen MLA Linda Larson and Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, visited local residents following devastating fires that broke out Friday in Oliver. Looking on is Oliver Fire Department Deputy Fire Chief Bob Graham. (Lyonel Doherty photo)
B.C. Premier Christy Clark flew into Oliver Sunday morning to view the devastation caused by wildfires in and around Oliver and Osoyoos. Clark thanked firefighters and volunteers for a job well done and also got a big hug from Osoyoos Mayor Sue McKortoff, while Oliver Mayor Ron Hovanes looked on. (Lyonel Doherty photo)
