The initial response of Lake Country firefighters to the Okanagan Centre wildfire kept the Okanagan Centre fire from doing even more damage to the community.
That was the word from fire chief Steve Windsor, looking back on on his crews91裸聊视频� response to the blaze a week ago today.
But while many homes along Tyndall and Nighthawk roads and beyond were saved, the eight homes that were lost weigh heavily on the firefighters, said Windsor.
Looking back in hindsight, Windsor said his firefighting contingent, five full-time firefighters and 60 paid on-call members, along with supporting crews, should not be second guessing themselves.
91裸聊视频淲e lost some homes and that91裸聊视频檚 always difficult for us but we also saved a lot of homes,91裸聊视频� Windsor said. 91裸聊视频淭here is not much else we could have done.
91裸聊视频淲e are appreciative of the support we also received from other fire departments because without them, we would have been in a lot more trouble.91裸聊视频�
Fed by gusting winds, Windsor said the fast-moving fire raced up a steep hillside incline from Okanagan Lake Road West that offered no access for a fire truck to set up.
Evacuees had little time to because of the speed of the fire advancing, which also made it a challenge for firefighters to get ahead of the flames initially.
Windsor said last weekend, Lake Country had six firefighters and equipment assisting with the firefighting efforts in the Central Interior, but they were summoned home immediately when the Okanagan Centre wildfire broke out.
91裸聊视频�(After the fire), our focus was on cleaning up the hotspots which will go on for awhile so we91裸聊视频檒l take a wait and see attitude about deploying our people elsewhere for the moment,91裸聊视频� Windsor said.
91裸聊视频淥ur on-call people also have full-time jobs so this is all pretty stressful on them as well.91裸聊视频�
While the source of the fire remains under investigation beyond the confirmation it was human caused, Windsor said fire conditions remain extreme and will likely continue at that level for days to come.
Windsor said both evacuated residents returning home to a fire zone and residents in general have to be 91裸聊视频渧ery, very careful91裸聊视频� about the fire hazard.
