Macklin McCall, MLA for West Kelowna-Peachland, and Hon. Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Leader of the Conservative Party of B.C., are calling on Premier David Eby to immediately declare a provincial state of emergency in response to the Bald Range wildfire, which has forced the evacuation of the entire District of Summerland and thousands more in Peachland and surrounding areas.
The fire has burned more than 95 square kilometres and is showing aggressive, fast-moving behaviour, with embers carried up to a kilometre ahead of the main fire front. More than 20,000 people are now under evacuation order, Highway 97 is closed, and the District of Summerland has declared a local state of emergency.
A provincial declaration would unlock additional resources for crews on the ground, including funding for equipment such as self-contained breathing apparatus and upgraded firefighting gear, expanded training facility resources, and broader access to personnel and heavy equipment.
"Families in Summerland and Peachland left their homes in minutes, some with embers landing in their cars as they fled," said McCall. "A local declaration isn't enough for a fire moving this fast. The Province needs to declare a state of emergency now so crews have every tool and every resource available to them."
Hon. Kerry-Lynne Findlay echoed McCall's concerns. "20,000 people have been forced from their homes overnight," said Findlay. "Premier Eby must declare a provincial state of emergency and ensure firefighters, seniors in care, and the hospitals serving them have everything they need to stay safe."
McCall and Findlay are calling on the Province to confirm sufficient air, ground, and equipment resources are being deployed to the Bald Range fire, and to provide residents with clear, timely updates as the situation develops.
NDP policies are driving businesses out of B.C., and the forestry industry just suffered yet another calamity. Interfor, a BC company founded more than 60 years ago and now one of the world's largest lumber producers, is moving its headquarters from Burnaby, BC to Atlanta, Georgia. As BC’s forestry sector faces mill closures and mounting uncertainty, this move is another warning sign that the crisis is deepening and conditions are fatal. “This is the NDP’s record: endless job losses with no hope in sight for the forestry sector,” said Ward Stamer, Shadow Minister for Forestry. “Interfor still has three mills in BC which are now in serious jeopardy, and it is likely we will see even more companies pull out of BC. The NDP government is suffocating the forestry industry with high taxes, excessive regulations, and permitting delays, while DRIPA has made it impossible to plan for the future.” “Decisions like this are sadly not surprising given the NDP’s indifference if not hostility tow...
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