Several firearms have been seized after a confrontation on the fire-line near Williams Lake July 17.
Police say that just after 10 a.m. a firefighter, who is working in the area to help fight the BC wildfires, was threatened by a local resident
The firefighter told, RCMP that while working in an area of Springfield Road a local resident had threatened to kill firefighters, if they continued to conduct back burning in the area. The man was accompanied by several other men, one of whom was alleged to have been carrying a handgun on his hip.
Williams Lake RCMP with assistance from officers from the BC Wildfire deployment teams, follow ups and identified and located the 44-year-old man, who is alleged to have threatened the firefighter. In speaking with RCMP he acknowledged the statements were made in a time of extreme stress At this time, charges against this male are not being considered, however to mitigate the possible risk, his firearm has been temporarily seized.
A 57-year-old man, who was alleged to have been wearing the handgun, was also located and arrested, and he was found to be in possession of a loaded, unsecured handgun, and six rifles in his vehicle. His firearms have been seized and he has since been released, with a court appearance scheduled in early November.
We understand that tensions are running high, but we have to continue to pull together as a community to fight the fires in whatever way we can,” said Inspector Jeff Pelley, Officer in Charge of the Williams Lake RCMP, “The firefighters have a job to do, as do we, we ask that continue to be patient as we work together with all of our partners to make your community a safe place to return to.
