It was a call Ian Cummings dreaded, but that didn香蕉视频直播檛 stop him from springing into action.
At around 2 p.m. Thursday, reports of a fire were received on the hillside above Highway 97A and Hutley Road. Spallumcheen became the latest community in B.C. left vulnerable to the unpredictable nature of flames and smoke.
香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e all on edge right now, the public and first responders,香蕉视频直播 said Cummings, Armstrong-Spallumcheen fire chief.
However, an immediate call was put out to the department香蕉视频直播檚 volunteer crew.
香蕉视频直播淭hey came in after 2 p.m. when many of them are at work and there was a fantastic response,香蕉视频直播 said Cummings.
With the hot temperature and dry conditions, Cummings also realized more resources would be needed. He quickly reached out to the Coldstream, BX-Swan Lake and Enderby departments and the B.C. Wildfire Service, which provided an air response.
On top of this were RCMP officers, paramedics and Spallumcheen municipal employees who established an emergency operations centre.
香蕉视频直播淭he co-operation and professionalism displayed by everyone made this situation easier,香蕉视频直播 said Cummings.
By early evening Thursday, the decision was made to put about 200 homes on evacuation alert.
香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 pretty stressed. I only bought this place a month ago,香蕉视频直播 said Chelaine McInroy, a resident of Belva香蕉视频直播檚 Mobile Home Park, Thursday night.
香蕉视频直播淚t made it a little easier to pack up because everything was still in boxes, but it香蕉视频直播檚 obviously very stressful. This is our home.香蕉视频直播
On Friday morning, the evacuation alert was lifted, but the firefighters will remain on scene throughout the weekend.
香蕉视频直播淣ow comes the long hours of the dirt, bugs and heat, looking for hot spots,香蕉视频直播 said Cummings.
While remaining focused on the task at hand, there has been some time for reflection.
香蕉视频直播淓very call you go out on, there香蕉视频直播檚 always challenges but we train really hard. This is no more or no less than anything else. The biggest challenge was access,香蕉视频直播 said Cummings.
The cause of the fire is still being determined.