233159
232178

Kelowna  

Joe Rich residents grateful

Joe Rich residents were feeling immense gratitude Sunday as their homes were saved from an aggressive fire this weekend.

“Police stopped and asked what they could do to help us, and fire crews were just on it super fast. And the air support was on it super fast, going over the house constantly – they were amazing,” says Heidi Wilfley while holding her two-year-old daughter, Tess, outside their home Sunday.

They were evacuated from their home on Huckleberry Drive with just 20 minutes notice Friday afternoon.

“You know a lot of them (firefighters) are our neighbours,” says Wilfley. “So, we know a lot of them that were on the fire and I am just really proud of them because their families were down in town and they stayed up here and they were working hard. They are real troopers.”

Wilfley says they were blown away by the support of friends, family and emergency responders who helped get their family, dogs, cats and horses to safety. A sentiment shared by Keyhan Modaressi.

“They (firefighters) are out there for everybody, and so are the police. They were here all around us - monitoring us, monitoring people’s properties. I mean you cannot say enough thank yous, that is just a word,” says grateful resident Keyhan Modaressi, who was packed up and ready to go Friday evening while he waited to hear whether their evacuation alert would be upgraded to an order.

“We are spoiled with our fire department,” says Modaressi. “I don’t think those boys and girls take any crap from anything. They just go at it, they give it hell.”

While Joe Rich fire crews appreciate the gratitude, they say they didn’t do it alone.

“It was definitely a team effort,” says Joe Rich assistant fire chief Ben Wasyliuk.

“We had to reach out for help on this fire, it was jus too big for what our department could handle. We certainly appreciate all that help, and that is what made it happen.”

The approximately 55-hectare fire is now 100 per cent contained as of Sunday afternoon, as crews work in more favourable conditions.

“Today is definitely a better day than yesterday,” comments Wasyliuk. “We continue to move forward in our progress with the fire.”

He says crews are maintaining the perimeter and knocking down existing hot spots, while working to guarantee the safety of nearby homes.

While most of those evacuated have been allowed to return home, 28 homes are still under evacuation order.

“That is mainly because there are still some risks around those homes and because we are actively working in those areas around those homes,” adds Wasyliuk.  

For those back under their own roof Sunday, they are forever grateful.

“The help was just amazing and I am just really proud to be a part of this community so, thank you so much,” says Wilfley.

“It didn’t go through my mind for a second that they would let that fire get anybody. They put it out, that is not about money, they are all volunteer and they want to shut down the fire station here because they say there is not enough people,” says Modarassi as he shakes his head in distaste.

“It takes more than a thank you to say they did really good.”

For the remaining 28 properties under evacuation order, officials hope to have an update to residents Sunday on when they may be able to return home. 

For past stories on the Joe Rich fire, click here.

Send us a letter. Got an opinion on this story? Email letters to the editor to [email protected].



More Kelowna News