Premier John Horgan and Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development Doug Donaldson will be visiting people in regions affected by the worst wildfire in British Columbia’s history.
“This summer’s unprecedented wildfire season has hurt communities and forced people from their homes,” Horgan said, in a press release. “British Columbians are working together to recover and rebuild. Your government is here to help.”
Since April 1 this year, 1,123 wildfires in the province have burned an estimated 1,061,911 hectares.
Horgan and Donaldson will be visiting Kamloops, Cache Creek, Ashcroft and Kelowna. The visit will include a ground tour of the fire damage in Ashcroft and an aerial tour of the Philpott wildfire.
During the visit, Horgan and Donaldson will meet with British Columbians affected by the fires, as well as local officials, firefighters, emergency responders and First Nations leaders who have been providing aid and comfort.
“People have been working around the clock to help those whose livelihoods and homes have been impacted by the fires,” Horgan said. “It’s important for us to hear first-hand about the devastation and the work being done to get people back on their feet.”
Kamloops/Cache Creek/Ashcroft
10 a.m. – Visit at Kamloops Provincial Regional Emergency Operation Centre with Kamloops deputy mayor
11:45 a.m. – Visit and tour of Cache Creek Resilience Centre
12:30 p.m. – Meeting with mayor and council of Cache Creek
1:30 p.m. – Meeting with Ashcroft First Nation Chief and Councillor
2 p.m. – Tour of fire damage
Ashcroft Indian Band Office
3:25 p.m. – Fire briefing at Shell Aerocentre, Kelowna International Airport
3:35 p.m. – Helicopter fire tour of Philpott fire
