The Alberta crew of Maskwacis firefighters have been working to help with the wildfires blazing through the Province of British Colombia.
Four Arrows Wildfire Firefighters were the first crew sent out from Maskwacis.
The crew consists of Camron Rattlesnake who is the crew leader and Francis Crier is the second leader. The remaining crew are Alfred Deschamps, Jimmy Rattlesnake, Randell Saulteaux, Mitchell Rattlesnake, and Madison Soosay.
Many residents affected have given their thanks online to all the firefighters who have put their lives at risk to help save lives.
“When we left, you’re leaving not really knowing if you’re going to see (your home) again. I remember feeling what that felt like. That unease and uncertainty and then coming home there was a nice jubilation and relief that saturated our thinking space, but to contextualize and think about people that are maybe 20 kilometres down the road who lost everything. That’s deeply heartbreaking and there’s a humility that comes into our being grateful to be home. It definitely isn’t without consequence for sure,” said a resident of Salmon Arm who took to social media to speak about his experience when he had to evacuate.
“I am eternally and forever overflowing with gratitude to those men and women that are out doing back-breaking, labour-intensive work in impossible conditions. Being a firefighter at the best of times is an insanely arduous job and I have nothing, but the utmost respect in the world for those men and women that are able to do that, but it’s also important to recognize those that don’t always get the same level of gratitude and recognition.
“You can never thank them enough. There is nothing you can do that will ever be thanks enough for what they do,” said Michael Richardson a resident of Kelowna.
- Source: Aug. 26 Ermineskin Newsletter