When the reporters arrived, Ian Wickett knew what to expect

1. Ian Wickett sees the brighter side.

There was talk of evacuation, but it didn’t seem sensible as the fire had moved up the slope of the mountain and was traveling south and east. But, when I was on my way to work and I saw the satellite up-link trucks for major news networks gathered around city hall, I knew evacuation was inevitable. The thirst for news had to be quenched.

Ian Wickett, Owner Salmon Arm Stationery &
Mayor of Salmon Arm from 1993 – 1996

2. The media arrives – television coverage was sent out to the world.