Photo: RCMP A man was arrested Tuesday after a firefighter was allegedly threatened in Williams Lake Monday.

A firefighter near Williams Lake says he was threatened by a man who took exception to the fire crews' back burning operations.

On July 17, a firefighter was working in the Springfield Road area, west of Williams Lake, when a local resident allegedly told him he would kill firefighters if they kept up their back burning operations.

The firefighter said the man was with a group of other men, one of whom was carrying a handgun on his hip.

Tuesday, Williams Lake RCMP found the 44-year-old man the firefighter said made the threats, who acknowledged he had made the statements under “extreme stress.”

“At this time, charges against this male are not being considered, however to mitigate the possible risk, his firearm has been temporarily seized,” said Cpl. Janelle Shoihet in a statement.

The 57-year-old man who the firefighter said was carrying the handgun when the threat was made was also located.

Police found he was in possession of a loaded handgun and six rifles in his vehicle. Police seized the guns and arrested the man for having a loaded firearm in his vehicle. He's expected to appear in court in November.

“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 Inspector Jeff Pelley of the Williams Lake RCMP.