Why information officer kept camera rolling even as he fled B.C. wildfire with family

Erick Thompson, the senior manager of communications for the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen, kept filming while fleeing a wildfire in B.C. with his family around 1:40 a.m. on Saturday. This is because as the Regional District's communications officer, Thompson is responsible for providing live updates and information on the fire, evacuations, and support to anxious residents through his livestream videos on YouTube.

These videos are raw and unfiltered, capturing Thompson answering calls, interacting with colleagues, and occasionally leaving his desk unattended during the livestream. The most dramatic moment occurred when Thompson left the emergency operations center before picking up his family and resuming the livestream from his darkened vehicle as they fled the fire.

He explained that he continued to stream to show that he was in the same situation as residents and that they could remain calm. Ash was falling heavily during Thompson's drive, and he informed viewers of the traffic congestion caused by the evacuation. Although he initially thought only around 30 people were watching, a friend in Halifax informed him that his dramatic leaving-the-house clip was seen by many others.

Thompson emphasized that he did not seek attention for his actions, expressing that he was simply dedicated to providing the most accurate and helpful information possible during the emergency.