Letters to the editor

We were evacuated.  We appreciate the Emergency Responders from Ministry of Forests, all the Fire Departments and the RCMP.

It’s important to keep in mind, if the RCMP hadn’t reported this as quickly as they did, it would have been even worse.

As to slow response, I would be curious to see the outcome of the review.

What was the response time on the Okanagan Mountain fire in 2003?

Quite obviously, nowhere near as good and the terrain was just as challenging. 

It’s very sad that homes were lost and people have been displaced. Thankfully no one was hurt. It has to be very traumatic.

Once the fire assessment was done, it was obvious the Ministry of Forest Fire Fighters and Pilots were on it, with a vengeance.

The help from Fire Departments from West Kelowna, Summerland, Kelowna and Joe Rich was impressive. Our home was not directly in the line of the fire but we were close.

We watched the smoke being whipped around by the swirling and gusting winds.

We watched the bombers and helicopters attack the fire. The sky looked like something from a Battle of Britain war movie. The number of emergency vehicles coming rapidly down Drought Hill was alarming. 

We got packed and starting packing up the car, as did many of our neighbours. 

By the time the RCMP came to tell us “You are evacuated,” all we had to do was lock the front door, leash up the dogs and drive out.

Before we start throwing mud and being angry, I’d like to see the outcome of the report.

I’d like to know what the Government of BC deems an appropriate response time from Ministry of Forests on interface fires in rural areas.

If there is mud and anger, let’s make sure we throw it in the right direction and hit correct target accurately.

Kudos to all those involved in saving our town. Yes, saving our town. 

Thank you, although we sincerely say it, it doesn’t seem enough.

Irene Marden