Okanagan Indian Band Chief Byron Louis said those disobeying evacuation orders are 香蕉视频直播渘othing but selfish香蕉视频直播� and they won香蕉视频直播檛 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.

香蕉视频直播淎s of this moment, we haven香蕉视频直播檛 lost any buildings to the fire, but that could change today,香蕉视频直播� the update reads.

Reports, however, of people refusing to abide by evacuation orders have Louis, an evacuee himself, frustrated.

香蕉视频直播淭here should be a requirement that they do have to move,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淭hey put our emergency response, firefighters and police at jeopardy.香蕉视频直播�

BC Wildfire Services and structural protection units can香蕉视频直播檛 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.

香蕉视频直播淒o these people have a right to jeopardize us?香蕉视频直播� 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.

香蕉视频直播淏ut those who chose to stay put my staff at tremendous risk in the path of the fire to get them out of harm香蕉视频直播檚 way,香蕉视频直播� BC Wildfire Services incident commander Scott Rennick said Thursday, Aug. 5. 香蕉视频直播淒o not put my people in the position that some others did today.香蕉视频直播�

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 it香蕉视频直播檚 jail time or fines.

香蕉视频直播淚ndividuals do not have the right to jeopardize others香蕉视频直播� lives,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 like neighbours don香蕉视频直播檛 think they have any effect. People basically have no feelings for anyone but themselves. Why should we coddle them?香蕉视频直播�

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.

香蕉视频直播淣ow all of a sudden we have fires,香蕉视频直播� Louis said, noting those experiences helped prepare the band香蕉视频直播檚 emergency protocols and support services.

香蕉视频直播淥ur ESS has been exceptional and our staff 香蕉视频直播� from communications to logistics to firefighting coordination 香蕉视频直播� those people are phenomenal.香蕉视频直播�

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 香蕉视频直播� but Chief Louis says don香蕉视频直播檛 use that social media platform to air out your own grievances.

香蕉视频直播淥ur website is not a place for your personal views whether you are a member or non-member,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淒o not use our site for venting personal views.香蕉视频直播�

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