A new book chronicling Vernon’s 2021 wildfires is set to be released April 23.
Smoke and Ash is a visual compilation of photographs, paintings and on-the-spot experiences expressed through poems and quotes, serving as a time capsule of one of the region’s most devastating wildfire seasons to date.
Co-authored by Virginia Dansereau, Sue Urquhart and Heather Clay, the 80-page book gathers material from community members in Vernon and along Westside Road to capture the essence of the experience locally.
It already appears that the book will be popular; as of April 8, the authors had close to 200 pre-orders.
Ten sponsors have donated funds to print the book so that all proceeds can be directed to the Okanagan Indian Band Recovery Fund and the North Westside Fire and Rescue Society for needed equipment.
The public is invited to the Elks Lodge on Saturday, 1:30 p.m., to pick up a copy and meet with the contributors, designers and sponsors.
Last summer, the community was rocked by the White Rock Lake wildfire, which burned more than 83,000 hectares and destroyed a number of homes along Westside Road.
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