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Citing increased risk of wildfires, the Pacheedaht First Nation is asking all protesters to vacate the Fairy Creek area, and all other forest areas during the extreme heat.

The nation said the decision to ask protesters to leave and to cease building fires is down to the possibility of human-caused wildfires that threaten the Pacheedaht community, businesses and natural resources including old growth forests in the Fairy Creek area.

“With old growth logging in the Fairy Creek watershed now deferred for two years, an integrated resource management planning process underway and with the increased risk of forest fires due to high temperatures, there is no reason for the protesters to continue to occupy our traditional territory,” said Jeff Jones, chief councillor of the Pacheedaht. “We respectfully reiterate our request for protesters to leave our traditional territory and let our nation get on with the business of deciding how best to manage our ḥahahuułi.”

In a statement, the nation also noted it is the constitutional right of First Nations to decide what is best for their lands, waters and resources for the well-being of present and future generations.

It pointed out that earlier this month the Pacheedaht, Ditidaht and the Huu-ay-aht First Nations signed the Hišuk ma c’awak Declaration.

“The three nations declared that in accordance with our traditional laws and our constitutionally protected aboriginal rights and title and treaty rights, our governance and stewardship responsibilities in our ḥahahuułi (traditional territories) must be acknowledged and respected,” said Jones.