1 arrest and multiple weapons seized following threats against firefighter in Williams Lake
Police say a man threatened to kill a firefighter working against the wildfires in the area.
Williams Lake RCMP have arrested one man and seized six rifles and two handguns after threats were allegedly made against a firefighter working in the area.
Police say the firefighter reported being confronted by a group of men Monday near Springfield Road.
One man allegedly threatened to kill him if he continued to conduct controlled back burning in the area. According to police, another man in the group appeared to have a handgun attached to his hip.
RCMP say they arrested a 57-year-old man thought to be armed during the confrontation.
When he was found, RCMP say the man was in possession of a loaded handgun and had six other rifles in his vehicle.
The man has since been released and his weapons seized. He is set to appear in court in November and could face charges of unlawful storage of a firearm.
A 44-year-old man was also questioned by police following the incident. He acknowledged the threats were made at a time of "extreme stress."
RCMP say the man appears to own a property he believed was being threatened by the controlled burn. His handgun was temporarily seized as a precaution. Police say he will not face charges.
"We understand that tensions are running high, but we have to continue to pull together as a community to fight the fires in whatever way we can," said Insp.Jeff Pelley, the officer in charge of the Williams Lake RCMP, in a news release.
"The firemen and women have a job to do, as do we, we ask that you continue to be patient as we work together with all of our partners to make your community a safe place to return to."