The work of two regional district fire departments has been acknowledged with some generous donations.
Residents living in the Shelter Cove Estates strata subdivision along Westside Road have come together to contribute $5,000 to the Regional District of Central Okanagan, specifically for the Wilson’s Landing and North Westside paid-on-call departments.
The donations recognize the work each department’s firefighters did to protect the homes and properties in the subdivision during the Shelter Cove/Westside Road wildfire in July 2015. While the lightning-ignited blaze consumed 560-hectares, no homes were lost.
“The Wilson’s Landing department has received $2,500 from Shelter Cove Estates Limited and the North Westside received a donation of $1,500 plus it received another $1,000 that was used for auction items during the recent North Westside Fire/Rescue community fundraising barbecue,” said regional district chairperson Gail Given.
“These much-welcome donations will help purchase equipment and support programs to benefit the paid-on-call departments.
“On behalf of the men and women of each department, the regional district thanks the Shelter Cove residents for their generosity which recognizes the valiant service provided during the wildfire last summer. We’re pleased that due to the efforts of everyone involved in fighting the fire, residents who were evacuated were able to safely return to their homes.”
On Sept. 11, residents from Traders Cove held a community barbecue to thank Wilson’s Landing firefighters along with those from the North Westside and supporting agencies and other first responders who protected their homes during this summer’s Bear Creek wildfire.