It was a call Ian Cummings dreaded, but that didn91裸聊视频檛 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.
91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e all on edge right now, the public and first responders,91裸聊视频� said Cummings, Armstrong-Spallumcheen fire chief.
However, an immediate call was put out to the department91裸聊视频檚 volunteer crew.
91裸聊视频淭hey came in after 2 p.m. when many of them are at work and there was a fantastic response,91裸聊视频� 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.
91裸聊视频淭he co-operation and professionalism displayed by everyone made this situation easier,91裸聊视频� said Cummings.
By early evening Thursday, the decision was made to put about 200 homes on evacuation alert.
91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 pretty stressed. I only bought this place a month ago,91裸聊视频� said Chelaine McInroy, a resident of Belva91裸聊视频檚 Mobile Home Park, Thursday night.
91裸聊视频淚t made it a little easier to pack up because everything was still in boxes, but it91裸聊视频檚 obviously very stressful. This is our home.91裸聊视频�
On Friday morning, the evacuation alert was lifted, but the firefighters will remain on scene throughout the weekend.
91裸聊视频淣ow comes the long hours of the dirt, bugs and heat, looking for hot spots,91裸聊视频� said Cummings.
While remaining focused on the task at hand, there has been some time for reflection.
91裸聊视频淓very call you go out on, there91裸聊视频檚 always challenges but we train really hard. This is no more or no less than anything else. The biggest challenge was access,91裸聊视频� said Cummings.
The cause of the fire is still being determined.
