FILE PHOTO
(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)
July 20, 2021 - 4:07 PM
The Secwépemc Nation has declared a state of emergency due to the wildfires impacting its territory.
“Whereas the Secwépemc Nation is facing unprecedented wildfires consuming our territory and placing our nation’s sustainability and safety at risk, our ongoing requests to federal and provincial governments for assistance to be adequately prepared, provide timely response, and initiate wholesome recovery plans has been inadequate and incomplete,” reads a press release issued by the Secwépemc Nation.
The nation’s state of emergency will go into effect tonight, July 20, at 6 p.m. and remain in effect until Oct. 19 or until is is cancelled by the chiefs.
The Secwépemc Nation will establish an effective and efficient Emergency Operations Center to coordinate nation activities in response to the wildfires.
The Nation is comprised of the Pavilion, Spallumcheen, High Bar, Simpcw, North Thompson, Bonaparte Adams Lake, Shuswap, Neskonlith, Canim Lake, Alkali Lake, Xgat’tem Canoe/Dog Creek, Soda Creek, Williams Lake, Skeetchestn, Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc and Whispering Pines/Clinton First Nations.
“The Chiefs of the Secwépemc Nation call upon the Federal and Provincial Government agencies to uphold and ensure compliance with the legislation, laws and funding agreements set forth and to uphold and implement the calls to action outlined in Responding to Wildfire and Flood Risks, 2019 report released by the Province of British Columbia,” the press release reads.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Carli Berry or call 250-864-7494 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2021