Times-Chronicle Staff
“Adios, compadre.”
That was the sentiment on Monday when the Osoyoos Indian Band held a farewell ceremony for Mexican firefighters who helped tame the Nk’Mip Creek wildfire this summer.
Local mayors, RCMP and regional district representatives attended the ceremony at the Oliver Airport to show their support and thanks for the nearly 100 firefighters from Mexico who worked extremely hard to protect the community.
The OIB presented small tokens of appreciation to all the firefighters (keychains with the Indian headdress) and the Mexicans presented a plaque to the OIB. A couple of band members sang songs accompanied by drumming.
The Nk’Mip Creek fire is no longer a wildfire of note, however, it is still burning at approximately 19,000 hectares. All alerts related to the fire have been rescinded.
