From their acreage at Soda Creek, Diane and Dave Dunaway have seen two nearby train derailments, lightning fires, grass fires and serious wildfires across the river 91裸聊视频� but not once did they evacuate their home.

The current wildfire situation, which has led to a state of emergency across the province, has been no different.

In a recent post on social media, Diane explained that the decision to stay is not one made on a whim, but backed by decades of sustainability and resilience that one must have in order to live on rural and remote properties. It91裸聊视频檚 simply called 91裸聊视频渃ountry living,91裸聊视频� she said.

RELATED:

91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檝e lived here for 26 plus years without fire protection, garbage or recycling pick-up, fibre optics, pizza delivery, nor reliable cell service,91裸聊视频� Diane said. 91裸聊视频淟iving in a somewhat remote location necessitates independence, self-reliance, and a sense of accountability.91裸聊视频�

Even three years ago, when a raging wildfire came right up to their fence line, and burned 122 hectares over months of time, the pair remained put on the property in the community they91裸聊视频檝e lived in for 26 years.

Diane and Dave91裸聊视频檚 decision to forego evacuating this and defend their property isn91裸聊视频檛 an uncommon decision in the Cariboo.

In fact, most ranchers in the area have stayed behind to protect their livelihood 91裸聊视频� a move that91裸聊视频檚 brought controversy and criticism.

RELATED:

The Dunaways and other neighbours 91裸聊视频� a minimum 2.5 km drive away 91裸聊视频� aren91裸聊视频檛 standing by passively and watching the fires, though.

91裸聊视频淣eighbours have pieced together a comprehensive collection of fire fighting equipment from hoses, backpack tanks, and shovels to backhoes and truck-mounted tanks with high-powered pumps,91裸聊视频� Diane said.

91裸聊视频淲e have an informal valley-wide spark watch in effect that includes calling our other neighbours across the river if we spot something they might not see coming from the hills above.91裸聊视频�

Their preparedness includes plans for the worst-case scanrio and for the long haul 91裸聊视频� but also have emergency bags by the door if things become unsafe.

91裸聊视频淣earby Dunlevy Ranch has limitless gravity-fed irrigation water that doesn91裸聊视频檛 need electricity to gather pressure,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淥ur fallback plan is to park in the middle of a hay field and surround ourselves with sprinklers. And of course there91裸聊视频檚 the river.91裸聊视频�

RELATED:

With a self-sustaining farm still running in full force 91裸聊视频� with a garden, honey bees and all 91裸聊视频� as well as freezers with generators and fuel for back up, Diane has one simple request: respect their decision to stay.

91裸聊视频淲e are not 91裸聊视频榙efying91裸聊视频� evacuation orders; we are using our collective years of experience along with cooperation to survive. There91裸聊视频檚 nothing cavalier about our decision to stay home,91裸聊视频� she said.

91裸聊视频淚n our estimation, at this time we feel safe and don91裸聊视频檛 feel that we91裸聊视频檙e endangering anyone.91裸聊视频�

According to the BC Cattlemen91裸聊视频檚 Association, government agencies at working with the ranchers who remain on their properties.

The RCMP have not made any arrests of those who remained in evacuation zones. Legally, there91裸聊视频檚 nothing stopping those older than 18 from staying.