Editor;
On Aug. 31, the Clearwater Times ran a letter to the editor titled “Resident of Adams Lake, Bush Creek Wildfire Gives Her Personal Account” by Erin Wiltse. I give many kudos to Erin for documenting the total devastation of the North Shuswap. In 2017, I wrote an article regarding the exact same problem demonstrated by the BCWS at that time, “Stand Down and Monitor.” It’s very obvious that the BCWS has learned absolutely nothing from the fires of 2017.
The only way that there will be change is if someone is held accountable. There should be a public inquiry to answer a lot of questions such as why was the Bush Creek fire not fought when it was first reported? Why were no water bombers directed there? Who was in command of the Bush Creek and East Adams Lake. fires? I’d like to see a class action lawsuit filed against the Province of B.C., The Ministry of Forests, BCWS, and whoever was the head of the chain of command regarding the Bush Creek and East Adams Lake. fires. There has to be accountability.
Another problem that has to be rectified in this province is the high number of fires that are man-made. The people who are lighting forest fires must be made an example of.
To all the people who lost their homes on the North Shuswap, I send my heartfelt condolences. I was born and raised in Celista, and a lot of my close friends still live there.
There are heroes to thank, they are the volunteer fire departments, the municipal and city fire departments, and the locals trying to save their properties and those of their neighbours.
Jim Lamberton
The Rambling Man
Clearwater, B.C.