A12 Thursday, October 14, 2021 100 Mile House Free Press www.100milefreepress.

net

FIREFIGHT 2021
COMMUNITY APPRECIATION
Firefighters on Lone Butte crew ‘have heart’
Kelly Sinoski Local crews contin- reasons,” he said. “As firefighters to drive
100 Mile Free Press ued to work the fire, chief, that’s the kind of into the bush and at-
racking up 17 hours person I want - some- tack a fire. They could

W
hen light- days. Three days later, one who wants to help also share it with oth-
ning struck they were called to an- out and feel the need ers in the community
the Lone other fire, on Crown to be there. It’s been a if needed.
Butte quarry on June land at Ryall and Gar- win-win. We lost some Grieve said the
30, local firefighters rett roads, which was trees but we didn’t lose department is also
were there within eight already “burning into any structures and we looking at increasing
minutes. no man’s land” by the gained good people.” training among mem-
But given the long time they got there. With wildland fires bers so they can fight
hot, dry summer, BC Wildfire knocked set to become the wildfires alongside
the fire was already down the head of norm in the future, BCWS.
crowning. Properties the fire but the Lone Grieve said the fire “We can’t avoid it. We
were given notice to Butte crew was need- halls have to step up are seeing that wildland
evacuate while 13 of ed to keep an eye on and get involved. He is obviously stretched
the 16-member crew the blaze. From June said it’s imperative to thin so we have to step
quickly got to work. 30, they worked for a re-evaluate budgets to up,” he said. “Those
In some respects, the solid six days monitor- ensure they have the guys are doing an
department was lucky: ing the fire or building Some of the members of the Lone Butte Volunteer Fire Department. (Submitted photo). equipment to fight amazing job, whether
with the fire being guards. these fires, rather than they’re a guy on the
one of the first in the “We ended up hav- having to rely on fire- ground or a pilot in
South Cariboo, they ing to be there most of great working with structures lost.” ple donated food and he said. fighters from Mexico the air. I have nothing
got a quick response the time. We had some wildland. You could While the wildfires goodies to the hall, He also got several or Calgary. but good things to say
from BC Wildfire Ser- long days for sure,” tell there had been triggered some stress while Grieve said the inquiries from people He said his depart- about all of them.”
vice, which provided said John Grieve, some progress from and evacuation of crews were grateful wanting to help fight ment received a Red As for his own crew,
three skimmers and a chief of the Lone 2017 working togeth- properties in the area, for the support from the fires, adding 10 Cross grant in 2017 Grieve said they didn’t
retardant bomber to Butte Volunteer Fire er. That was good for they also sparked the public, which put new recruits - both for a slide-in unit and hesitate to help. “I’m
try and suppress it. Department. “It was us in achieving no some positives. Peo- up signs on telephone men and women of now they plan to do incredibly proud of
poles or driveways to all ages - to the de- some fundraising for the team I’ve got,” he
show their appreci- partment. a truck. The unit has a said. “It makes my job
ation. “It all means “They’re great re- large tank and built-in easier when I can de-

THANK YOU
a lot, the guys were cruits and they’re pump and hose reel, pend on them. They
deeply moved by it,” there for the right which would allow have heart.”

Greeny Lake on standby

To all the Patrick Davies
The department has
100 Mile Free Press already begun fund-
volunteers and raising with a recent
50/50 draw and they
firefighters
G
reeny Lake plan to apply for a
Volunteer fire- Community Gaming
fighters were Grant to help cover
who keep our standing by to help out the costs. “We got a
in this summer’s wild- lot of nice houses on
community safe! fires but ended up hav-
ing a fairly quiet year.
the lake that need the
protection,” Rose said.
Bill Rose, a former Rose said addition-
firefighter and cur- Members of the Greeny Lake Volunteer Fire Department al membership would
rent secretary for the pose with a new boat and water pumps bought with also help bring in
Greeny Volunteer Fire grant money from the Red Cross. (Photo submitted) revenue and as a so-
Department Society, ciety fire department
said the 17-member in recent years, main- partment had been - they aren’t funded by
department was only ly because more peo- deployed to Kamloops a regional district or
called out six times this ple are cleaning their for one day last month municipality - they’re
year, which is ideal. chimneys more often but were sent home always welcoming new
“It’s good, in a way. or switching to geo- without fighting a fire. members.
We try not to get too thermal heating. “When they (fight Any interested in
many calls if we can,” But while the depart- fires) they do it well.” joining or knowing
OPEN: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm he said. ment wasn’t that busy, Meanwhile, the de- more about the de-
Saturday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm The fire depart- it has been far from idle partment is looking to partment are invited
CLOSED SUNDAYS & STAT HOLIDAYS ment typically deals this year. Firefighters buy a new $450,000 fire to attend their upcom-
with brushfires and train every Monday for truck to supplement its ing Annual General
Lone Butte Supply Ltd. car accidents. They two hours and always fleet. Although they Meeting at 1:30 p.m.
400 Exeter Rd., 100 Mile House used to have a few stand ready to assist have five fire trucks, Oct. 23 at the Greeny
www.timbermart.ca 250-395-3835 (Just 2 blocks up Exeter Rd.) chimney fires, but other fire departments they are approaching Lake Volunteer
those have decreased if called up. The de- 25 years of age, he said. Fire Hall.