Christy Clark frustrated after drone forces BC fire-fighting crews to ground
Posted August 17, 2015 7:30 am.
Last Updated August 17, 2015 7:37 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OLIVER (NEWS 1130) – It’s already a life and death situation — this sure doesn’t help.
Our premier is among those expressing frustration after a drone interfered with the battle against wildfires in the BC Interior yet again. Christy Clark was touring the front-lines in Oliver yesterday.
The latest close call grounded fire crews for about five hours.
The drone flew near the Testalinden Creek fire shortly before 1 p.m. yesterday and kept eight helicopters and an air tanker team on the ground, as that fire burned out of control.
Clark is pleading with people who have drones to keep them out of the sky.
“They should know that when their drone is up there, people may be losing their houses. People may be being evacuated. That is just not acceptable, and I know everyone wants to be a good citizen,” she says.
Clark adds as drones become more popular, governments need to think about how to regulate them.
“Keep them out of the airspace when we’re fighting fires, keep them out of the airspace at airports. It’s only just becoming a real problem, and I think unless we get ahead of it as governments in this country, it’s only going to become a bigger problem.”
People from about 100 households near the Testalinden Creek fire are still out of their homes, under an evacuation order.
Others from about 260 homes near the Wilson’s Mountain fire have been allowed back, but have to be ready to pick up and leave at a moment’s notice.
Both fires are still burning out of control.
