The Tl91裸聊视频檈tinqox (Anaham) First Nation are thankful their homes are still standing after Saturday91裸聊视频檚 wind and fire storm took direct aim at their community.

The Hanceville fire, which started July 7 and had already claimed some structures as well as Lee91裸聊视频檚 Corner store and thousands of hectares of forests between Tl91裸聊视频檈tinqox, Yunesit91裸聊视频檌n (Stone) First Nation and Riske Creek, was fanned by the same strong winds that wreaked havoc through the Cariboo Chilcotin July 15.

In a press release issued Sunday, Chief Joe Alphonse said crews of well-trained fire fighters, 125 of them First Nations, used every resource available to them to fight back and divert the fast moving inferno that stopped just prior to their community entrance, at the gas station along Highway 20.

91裸聊视频淥ur community would not be standing today had we heeded the RCMP order. Our new health care centre, new school, church, store and many homes may not be here today,91裸聊视频� said Alphonse, who along with about 300 community members, including women and children, defied an evacuation order and stayed inside the community to protect it.

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Since Saturday, however, all non-fire related personnel were relocated to facilities in neighbouring Tsilhqot91裸聊视频檌n communities and will remain there until the current threat subsides.

The Tl91裸聊视频檈tinqox community said they are grateful to all First Nations, provincial and out-of-province fire personnel who assisted in the effort to save the community.

91裸聊视频淭he Tl91裸聊视频檈tinqox people also want to thank the many volunteers who continue to provide food and assistance to our community,91裸聊视频� stated the press release. 91裸聊视频淎s a community, we ask our First Nation spiritual leaders to go into ceremony for all those affected by fires, and we appreciate all prayers sent our way.91裸聊视频�

Just west of Tl91裸聊视频檈tinqox, fellow band member and rancher Harvey Petal said there were definitely a few close calls on Saturday after the fire jumped the Chilcotin River.

Petal said strong winds made the fire jump the river but helicopters with water buckets were there to assist ground crews in putting in out, while fire guards also helped stop the fire.

91裸聊视频淲e just need rain,91裸聊视频� Petal told the Tribune via text messaging from his ranch Monday. 91裸聊视频淭hat will help.91裸聊视频�

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Petal said the wind was blowing southeast yesterday but the fire is still burning strong north near the Petal ranch. He has not had any cattle lost yet due to the fire.

The Petal family are second generation ranchers who also vowed to stay and fight the fires by any means possible.

About 40 minutes west of Tl91裸聊视频檈tinqox, the First Nations community of Tsi Del Del (Redstone), situated between the Hanceville-Riske Creek fire and the Kleena Kleene fire, continues to operate the Redstone Gas Bar.

Geraldine Guichon described the area as 91裸聊视频渧ery smokey91裸聊视频� Tuesday, which has given her itchy eyes and a sore chest.

Guichon said the gas bar has remained open throughout the wildfire crisis in the Chilcotin with the use of a big generator to operate the gas pumps and store when the power is out.

91裸聊视频淭here are still some people who are stranded who need our services,91裸聊视频� Guichon said, noting they have also been providing gas and supplies to the many fire crews working in the Chilcotin.