EDITORIAL – Wildfires are spectacular to see but they’re no place for looky-loos

An editorial by Mel Rothenburger.

WILDFIRE WATCHING is, let’s face it, something we all do. Whenever a fire is close, we get concerned. And there’s also the curiosity factor.

I’ve been keeping an eye on the BC Wildfire Service Facebook page and website, and I’m struck by the number of occasions it has to ask people to stay away.

There was, for example, a drone incident in the Penticton Fire Zone a few days ago. According to BC Wildfire, the drone was in dangerously close proximity to a crew and helicopter responding to a fire there. It is, of course, illegal. Drones must be kept at least five nautical miles away from a wildfire on penalty of very heavy fines.

Due to the risk of collision between a drone and firefighting aircraft, those aircraft must cease operations against the fire when a drone gets close.

Then there’s the fire near Cranbrook that attracted a large volume of looky-loos wanting to watch the show. On foot and in vehicles, they blocked the only access and exit road to the area, creating danger for themselves, evacuees and firefighters.

Again, BC Wildfire had to put out a call for the public to stay away. Likewise, a fire in the Burns Lake area attracted an unwanted audience and the public had to be warned out of the active wildfire area.

And, of course, there are the boaters who don’t bother to get out of the way when aircraft are picking up water from lakes to fight the fires.

Anecdotally, at least, that was the case again at Paul Lake as the bombers tried to scoop up their loads. Also anecdotally, too many people with cellphone cameras wanted a closer look at the Ross Moore Lake fire as residents there tried to evacuate themselves and their livestock.

The public can be a huge help in reporting new fires. Unfortunately, they can also create major risks. A wildfire is no place for looky-loos.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. He has served as mayor of Kamloops, school board chair and TNRD director, and is a retired daily newspaper editor. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.