Okanagan communities rally around Bald Range wildfire evacuees

When more than 18,000 residents were forced from their homes by the Bald Range wildfire, many faced the daunting task of finding somewhere to stay, eat, and find basic necessities that they had suddenly lost. As evacuees arrived in Okanagan communities, hundreds of volunteers stepped in to help. Organizations like Mamas for Mamas rallied to the cause, calling for assistance and receiving an overwhelming response.

"People heard, people answered. I got goosebumps. It was a well-oiled machine in the emergency," said Kelly Wilson, a Mamas for Mamas manager.

Food quickly became a priority, with vendors who had planned to participate in the cancelled Peach Festival donating their goods to those in need. Mike Boersma, owner of Sweet and Crusty Bake Co., said he simply wanted to do his part to help. Volunteers provided clothing, toiletries, and other essentials, as well as free showers and hair washing services. Free meals were available at venues such as the casino.

However, securing a place to stay proved to be the most challenging aspect of the evacuation process. Some evacuees spent days living in their cars, while pet owners faced even fewer options. Evacuee Virginia Apps expressed her frustration, stating that the wait times for financial disaster assistance were stretching, leaving some individuals waiting days for help.

"We shouldn’t be sitting here waiting for our hotels, and there’s elderly that are sick that are sitting for hours and days. The weekend is going to be a week for us," she said.

Despite the uncertainty, basic needs were still being met at evacuation centers. People had a dry place to sleep, access to meals, and doctors on-site. Volunteers worked tirelessly to register evacuees, organize donations, and ensure everyone received the support they needed. Mamas for Mamas had received so many donations that they could no longer accept used goods, but gift cards and additional volunteers were still required. "I don’t even have the words to say thank you. This all is because of the community," Wilson said.

In the face of one of the worst moments for thousands of people, the crisis galvanized an extraordinary willingness to help across the Okanagan. The story of the Bald Range wildfire evacuees serves as a testament to the resilience and compassion of the community during a time of crisis.