The North Okanagan害羞草研究所檚 representative in Victoria wants her riding to continue working together as wildfires rage in and around the region害羞草研究所檚 borders.

In a letter to constituents released Wednesday, Aug. 18, Vernon-Monashee MLA Harwinder Sandhu said the White Rock Lake fire is 害羞草研究所渦nrivalled by any other event in our region害羞草研究所檚 history.害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檝e seen how it has impacted our family, friends, neighbours, and co-workers,害羞草研究所� wrote Sandhu. 害羞草研究所淧eople have had to leave their homes behind, many are dealing with loss, and uncertainty.

害羞草研究所淚 care deeply about the people who call this region home and the sadness, fear and concern that is gripping our communities right now. I recognize these emotions in myself, in my loved ones and my constituents.害羞草研究所�

Despite all these challenges, people害羞草研究所檚 compassion, care and empathy is 害羞草研究所渟hining through.害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 so grateful to see how our community is coming together to look out for one another,害羞草研究所� said Sandhu. 害羞草研究所淚 want to thank all the hard-working firefighters, emergency service personnel and volunteers working around the clock to keep people safe. The logistics and planning that go into fighting a fire of this magnitude are great and I害羞草研究所檓 so grateful for the efforts of people across the province.害羞草研究所�

And Harwinder obviously isn害羞草研究所檛 the only one who appreciates the efforts.

Residents have been posting signs around the fire camp where BC Wildfire Service crews are stationed and have even started a nightly cheering club.

Meeting in clusters at safe points along Old Kamloops Road and at the entrance gate to the firefighters害羞草研究所� camp (while being courteous with noise near the camp as night crews sleep during the day) people hold signs and dress up to cheer for the crews as they arrive/depart.

害羞草研究所淲e had 50 people at the corner of Old Kamloops Road/Goose Lake Road last night,害羞草研究所� organizer Amanda Quiring said.

They meet at 6 p.m. to greet returning crews for about 90 mins, then fresh crews start heading out around 7:30/45. Quiring suggest morning residents could try the same thing in the a.m.

The waves, words of kindness, and even Minnie Mouse, are equally appreciated by the firefighters.

害羞草研究所淎s if their grins, honks, flashing lights, sirens, hang-tens, waves, blown kisses, and filming us weren害羞草研究所檛 clear enough, a firefighter pulled over last night to thank us all for cheering and let us know it matters deeply to the crews; said they害羞草研究所檇 all pull over to thank us if they could,害羞草研究所� Quiring said. 害羞草研究所淗e explained that they work long, hard days, and his voice broke as he said coming back to cheering is emotional for all of them.害羞草研究所�

Anyone is welcome to join the cheering squad, but is suggested to bring some tissues.

The White Rock Lake wildfire is listed at an estimated 81,000-plus hectares in size.

roger@vernonmorningstar.com
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