Lyonel Doherty
Times-Chronicle
You’ve heard it before, but we’ll say it again – the men and women who take up hose and hoe against wildfires are our true saviours.
Not heroes; they don’t like that term. They’ll just say it’s their job. But it’s one hell of a job . . . heading towards the fire instead of away from it . . . choking on smoke . . . suffering from heat exhaustion . . . risking injury . . . missing their loved ones . . . missing work.
But they love what they do or else they wouldn’t be doing it.
Five-star ratings go out to Osoyoos Fire Rescue, Anarchist Mountain Fire Department, the Oliver Fire Department, and the Willowbrook Fire Department for their unrivaled expertise under the guidance of Chiefs Corey Kortmeyer, Urs Grob, Bob Graham and Tony Iannella. The men and women who serve under them are second to none. Hearing how they stood their ground and saved homes against the encroaching fire in Osoyoos and Oliver was incredible.
Of course, we can’t forget the smoke-eating butt kickers known as the BC Wildfire Service. We can’t imagine what they endure in a single day on the front lines. It makes us hot thinking about it in our air-conditioned offices.
Kudos also go out to Oliver/Osoyoos Search and Rescue for their tireless work during the evacuation process. A big thumbs up to lead Kyle Fossett on that front.
No, we didn’t forget the Oliver and Osoyoos RCMP who have also been “engulfed” in the fire. Commanding officers Sgt. Don Wrigglesworth and Sgt. Jason Bayda have been instrumental in keeping our communities safe during this crisis.
The volunteers with Emergency Support Services have also been saviours to evacuees. We will never forget the little girl who gave Fiona Wood a big hug outside the reception centre in Oliver.
How can we repay these people who aren’t officially heroes? We can start by following evacuation orders and restrictions.
We were told that one lady demanded to put her boat in Osoyoos Lake while aircraft were busy scooping water.
Another fellow demanded to get through to Mt. Baldy because he had booked a vacation property there.
And silly me parked on the side of the road in some weeds, not thinking that the catalytic converter could have started a fire. I should have known better. Thankfully, a fellow who was patrolling the area on McKinney Road schooled me on that hazard.
