Photo: Heather Campbell

BX/Swan Lake fire crews are still fighting wildfires west of Williams Lake.

Firefighters from around the North Okanagan have been returning home after weeks away in the Cariboo region where they fought to protect homes and businesses from wildfires.

“They saw an incredible amount of action,” said Armstrong/Spallumcheen Fire Chief Ian Cummings, whose firefighters worked in the Ashcroft and 100 Mile House areas. “They did a fantastic job and were instrumental in saving a number of structures and protect valued property.”

Like many other fire departments in the North Okanagan, crews rotated in and out of the most active wildfire zone in the province, with some spending a week to ten days on the line working 12-hour shifts.

“They're pretty tired and they've written off their entire summer,” said BX/Swan Lake Fire Chief Bill Wacey, who's still working in Kamloops for the Office of the Fire Commissioner where he's been responsible for finding extra resources to fight in the Cariboo. “Every unit that's been out there...they've done incredible work, from 100 Mile House to Williams Lake to the Elephant Hill fire.”

While the number of residences lost has been high, Wacey said crews have saved many more than they lost.

“The work has been phenomenal. They've saved hundreds and hundreds of homes. It's been incredible work by all parties combined, all of the emergency services.”

Wacey said BX/Swan Lake firefighters remained on the lines at fires along Highway 20, west of Williams Lake, near Tatla and Anahim lakes.

In Lumby, Fire Chief Tony Clayton said the last of his crews had returned home.

“I think they slept for a day,” Clayton joked. “Our truck was working 24 hours a day, they worked for 12.”

“I have a lot of new members in the hall and the experience they got is enormous,” said Enderby Fire Chief Cliff Vetter whose firefighters were stationed at 150 Mile House.

Coldstream Fire Chief David Sturgeon could not be contacted.