Hazardous blockade of fallen trees leads to RCMP investigation

HOUSTON – Mounties working from the Community-Industry Safety Office continue to conduct patrols along the Morice West Service Road to ensure the safety of individuals at the Healing Centre, Coastal GasLink employees and general public travelling along the corridor.

The road is the location of an ongoing blockade by Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs, approximately 47 kilometres southwest of Houston.

On January 6, 2020, during the course of regular patrols, officers
attended the 39.5-kilometre mark and were stopped by a blockade of
fallen trees. Officers conducted foot patrols towards the 44-kilometre
mark and noted several dozen trees had been felled across the roadway.

According to the RCMP, they noted that some trees that were
partly cut in readiness for felling. Three stacks of tires were also
noticed, each covered by tarps and trees, and contained several jugs of
accelerants – gasoline, diesel, oil, kindling and bags full of fuel
soaked rags.