Some residents in the North Shuswap have taken to social media to voice their frustration, saying they’re not being denied supplies and resourced needed to protect their homes and communities from the Bush Creek East fire.

Numerous social media posts from inside and outside the North Shuswap are from people – many of whom feel abandoned – who say without the efforts of locals the situation would have been much worse.

“This is not a criticism of the hardworking firefighters out there (they are amazing), but more so why residents defy orders and fight their own fires, one post from Erin Wiltse said. “It really just comes down to a lack of confidence and trust in the ministry to plan, act, operationalize, and resource front line crews fighting fire in rural and remote communities.”

“Words will never be enough to all those who have risked not only their lives but their mental and physical well being to fight to keep our community, homes and neighborhoods safe and sound, added Robyn Binks. “I cannot express how much appreciation we all have for everyone tireless efforts. You are truly superheroes.”

“We got word our house and neighbours on our street have been spared. Countless others have lost everything. We can only hope and pray each and every family got out safe and can rebuild. We can do this. And endless thanks to everyone risking everything to help.”

But authorities – including the Columbia-Shuswap Regional District, the BC Government, and the RCMP – say the people who have stayed behind in areas under evacuation order are risking their own safety and that of first responders working to keep the area safe.

“We’ll put the best possible understanding on this – that people think they’re helping,” Premier David Eby said Monday. “They are not. You’re not helping if you’re moving firefighter equipment.”

“Firefighters are experts. The equipment is put there for a reason, and if it’s not there when the firefighters go to get it, that is a big problem.”

Eby’s comments came one day after the BC Wildfire Service said that some of its equipment – pumps, hoses, sprinklers, and an ATV – were all feared stolen. They also said sprinklers, pumps, and hoses set up on the wooden Scotch Creek bridge – the only major route in and out of the area – were taken on three separate occasions.

During a stop in Kamloops on Tuesday, Eby said he understands that some residents want to help as best they can, though he noted the main priority of first responders is to save lives.

“Our firefighters are having to spend time, if it’s safe for them, to go in and try to get people out of those areas before the fire gets too dangerous and actually claims lives,” Eby said.

“Our firefighters should not be trying to get people out of evacuated areas if people are able to move themselves, they should be focusing on fighting the fires.”

But locals disagree with those claims and with the increase presence of RCMP and other officers. Some have had altercations with law enforcement, while others say they moved the firefighting equipment to defend properties they feel were at risk.”

“In the initial days after the ‘super fire’ the locals were able to get water, gas, and supplies but now there is a heavy police presence. They have the roads blocked off, saying they are preventing lotting,” a Facebook post from Stef and her husband Jorne, who say they own property in Celista said.

“The locals are being told to return to their homes. They are not allowed to be helping at all. There are spike strips on the road, police blocks everywhere. There are people trying to get essential supplies in such as water, gas, and food by boat. They are being turned away.”

BC RCMP spokesperson Staff Sgt. Clark told Radio NL that police sympathize with people impacted by the fires, but adds their role is to secure evacuation order areas from criminality, while also preventing people from entering the area so that the BC Wildfire Service can do its work “unobstructed.”

He said those who remain behind are risking their own safety as well as the safety of emergency crews.

“We are aware that there are a number of local firefighters operating within the Order area, using personal vehicles, but anyone caught within an area under Order in unofficial vehicles will be stopped by police,” Clark said, noting the RCMP and the CSRD will continue to help evacuate people who want to leave.

“The increase in police presence is in response to continued efforts by certain individuals who have moved or tampered with wildfire equipment without permission.”

RCMP Southeast District spokesperson, Cpl. James Grandy, added police have had to use spike belts after “numerous” people failed to stop at manned road blocks in the area.

“Anyone who is found not on their own property, and wandering within the Evacuation Zone may be arrested,” Grandy told Radio NL. “However, anyone who wishes to leave are being allowed, and also may be assisted in doing so.”

“Until BC Wildfire Service and Danger Tree Specialists deem it safe to return, RCMP’s focus is on keeping people safe and protecting property.”

Locals also raised concerns with a planned ignition last Thursday, Aug. 17, near Lee Creek and Scotch Creek, as they believe it caused the fire to move into the North Shuswap. The BC Wildfire Service pushed back against those claims, saying that ignition “saved hundreds of homes and properties.”

BC Wildfire Service Director of Provincial Operations, Cliff Chapman, also said that planned ignition did not cause the Lower East Adams Lake and Bush Creek East fires to merge into the 410 sq. km behemoth it currently is.

An online petition by ‘Communities of British Columbia’ to the BC Wildfire Service urged it to “stop fighting” residents who were trying to stop the “enemy [that] has come over the mountain to take our homes, our businesses, our community”

“You condemn us for staying and saving the structures and livelihoods you decided should be left to fate,” it read. “You say you don’t have enough resources. Use ours. You say you do not have enough people. We are an army. You say the risk is too great. We accept that risk for ourselves.”

The petition goes on to argue that locals need help, but don’t need to be blocked from their properties.

“The police need to find the looters and looky-loos, not keep food, water, and fuel from the people who are saving our homes,” said the petition.  “We need systems for communication. For an organized and collaborative effort. There is too much fire for just the BCWS, but we can do this together.”

Jay Simpson, the CSRD’s Area Director for the North Shuswap – who has been posting a number of updates as he stayed back in the area under evacuation order, said there were “active conversations” underway with the BC Wildfire Service.

“We look forward to more cooperation between us, and a resolution to our situation,” he said on Facebook, urging people to be patient.

“We will keep you informed with our progress.”