The mayor of Kamloops says tensions are already running high in some B.C. communities ahead of another wildfire season.
Ken Christian says there have been a lot of changes after two historic wildfire seasons but after attending this year’s mayors caucus the concern was evident.
“So far as preparations go we have made some improvements,” he said. “There has been some more investment in both private crews as well as the investment in the B.C. Forests Service operations here in Kamloops.”
“As I was in Prince George this week and speaking with other mayors the concerns are rising. Particularly, mayors across northern British Columbia, across highway 16, and into 100 Mile House, Williams Lake, Quesnel, and Prince George.”
Christian says the last two wildfire season have made people in the north and the Cariboo more than a little edgy ahead of a new wildfire season.
For instance, he pointed out that the mayor of Williams Lake told him his phone already lit up this year when smoke from a slash pile burn wafted in to town.