Kelowna Fire Chief Travis Whiting害羞草研究所檚 voice cracked ever so slightly as he was giving the news, that the Walroy Lake wildfire is now classified as being held, all evacuated Kelowna residents will be returning home 害羞草研究所� hopefully by the end of the day.
Good news for Lake Country as well as the Clarke Creek wildfire is no longer out of control and is classified as being held.
Those listening to the Thursday, Aug. 24 briefing could hear the relief, and excitement, in Whiting害羞草研究所檚 voice after the kind of week that makes heroes out of firefighters, emergency responders and the leaders that steer the ship of complex firefighting operations.
害羞草研究所淭his is really exciting news. I can tell you at the fire hall the mood is very, very high and very, very positive this morning,害羞草研究所� Whiting said. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 been our goal for the last seven days to get all our residents home safely, and we couldn害羞草研究所檛 be more excited to see this happen today害羞草研究所hat害羞草研究所檚 a big deal.害羞草研究所�
There was a triumphant air to Thursday害羞草研究所檚 presser, though it was tempered by reminders that there is still firefighting to be done, and not all neighbourhoods are in the clear. And while the weather has cooperated of late, that can change quickly.
Asked how it feels to be able to offer good news to evacuated Kelowna residents, Whiting said 害羞草研究所渋t害羞草研究所檚 very real.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所淲e wear our hearts on our sleeves, I think you害羞草研究所檝e seen that at this table over the last week, and it害羞草研究所檚 why we do what we do and we害羞草研究所檙e impassioned about it, and the fact that we害羞草研究所檙e returning people home today is very real for me and it害羞草研究所檚 very real for the crews.害羞草研究所�
Whiting encouraged residents to visit for up-to-date information as evacuation orders continue to be rescinded.
West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund said support from the communities has been felt by fire and emergency crews, and it has an invigorating effect.
害羞草研究所淚t really is the fuel that keeps us all going. Being able to read your comments and the cards that you害羞草研究所檝e dropped off and see the signs outside the fire hall is what fuels my men and women, as well as all of the men and women who are involved, so I want to thank you for that,害羞草研究所� he said.
害羞草研究所淭here are so many people who are working on this,害羞草研究所� Brolund continued, adding it害羞草研究所檚 not just emergency services who are working tirelessly anymore; now that parts of the area have entered the recovery stage, there are a lot more people whose efforts must be appreciated.
害羞草研究所淭he recovery component of this incident is growing by the moment. But, we will get the job done on the ground.害羞草研究所�
Whiting took a moment to express his appreciation for BC Wildfire Service as well as 害羞草研究所渢he many structural departments that attended and our own crews from Kelowna Fire Department that have spent the last seven days dug in deep.
Whiting noted that those returning home won害羞草研究所檛 be returning to the same neighbourhood they left, as the fire has burned very close to many homes, scorching backyards. Crews will be conducting danger tree assessments and the public is asked to stay away from areas where crews are doing this work, for their safety.
While 害羞草研究所渢housands害羞草研究所� of homes have been saved, not everyone has a home to return to, and West Kelowna Mayor Gord Milsom offered his condolences to those people.
害羞草研究所淚 had an opportunity to tour some of our neighbourhoods with our fire chief yesterday and it was really heart-wrenching to see some of the destruction,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淚 just wanted to express on behalf of myself and our city council our deepest sympathies for all those who have lost their homes, and just want to let you know that you害羞草研究所檙e not alone, we害羞草研究所檙e here to help you now and in the months and years to come.害羞草研究所�
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