Arrests have been made in wildfire evacuation zones: Kelowna RCMP

Kelowna RCMP are asking the public to respect evacuation zones by keeping out of them.

“Evacuation zones are established to safeguard individuals not just from the fires themselves, but other potential hazards such as gas leaks, electrical hazards, sudden falling trees, or other unpredictable emergencies,” Kelowna RCMP spokesperson Const. Mike Della-Paolera said in a media release issued today, Aug. 23.

People who enter restricted areas face serious safety risks, including exposure to dangerous substances, collapsing structures or unpredictable environmental conditions.

"The police on the checkpoints are doing their absolute best with respects to trying to gain cooperation from individuals," Kelowna RCMP Supt. Kara Triance said at a news conference today. "Where we have had individuals run roadblocks and blast right past the police officers, we’ve had to take enforcement action.

"We’ve had police officers engage with individuals accessing the area in unauthorized ways and those individuals have either been arrested or escorted out, depending on their intentions and their actions behind the lines."

Unauthorized entry can also divert and strain valuable resources, potentially delaying or compromising the response to emergency situations. Moreover, it is a violation of the law. Perpetrators may be arrested and face legal consequences of fines or imprisonment.

"They're not only a danger to themselves," Const. Della-Paolera said in the release. “Unauthorized persons entering evacuation zones can impede the smooth operation of emergency response efforts.”

Any unauthorized presence can stop emergency services from being able to “provide timely assistance, potentially jeopardizing the lives of those in need,” he said.

“Restricting access to evacuation zones relies on the cooperation of the public. It is essential for individuals to understand the gravity of the situation and respect the established boundaries. By adhering to these restrictions, citizens can contribute to a safer and more efficient emergency response, ultimately protecting their own lives which will facilitate going home sooner.”

People who have access to security camera footage and see suspicious activity should call 911, especially as people start returning to their homes.

"At this time we don’t have any confirmed property crime reports but I am not ignorant to the fact that there will be some that will come as people return to their properties," Supt. Triance said.

"I do believe we aren’t able to hold every line but I can assure residents that we have active patrols in all of those areas. We will action every request that is put out so if you see something, we need you to call 911."

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