Okanagan communities rally around Bald Range wildfire evacuees

When more than 18,000 people were forced from their homes by the Bald Range wildfire, many were left scrambling for somewhere to go.

For many, the immediate challenge was finding somewhere to sleep, something to eat and the basic necessities they had suddenly left behind.

But as evacuees arrived in communities across the Okanagan, so did hundreds of volunteers.

“When I came here and saw everyone helping, it’s so wonderful,” Waldern said.

Organizations including Mamas for Mamas put out the call for help and volunteers answered.

“People heard, people answered. I got goosebumps. It was a well-oiled machine in the emergency that it was,” said Kelly Wilson, a manager with Mamas for Mamas.

Food was another immediate need. Some vendors who had planned to sell at the cancelled Peach Festival instead donated their food to evacuees.

“I just do my little part, try to make people feel a little better,” said Mike Boersma, owner of Sweet and Crusty Bake Co.

Volunteers helped provide clothing, toiletries and other basic necessities. Evacuees could also access free showers and hair washing, while free meals were offered at locations including the casino.

Some evacuees spent days living in their cars, while those with pets faced even fewer options. At the same time, wait times for financial disaster assistance began to stretch, leaving some people waiting days for help.

“We shouldn’t be sitting here waiting for our hotels, and there’s elderly that are sick that are sitting for hours and days. The weekend is going to be a week for us,” said evacuee Virginia Apps.

Still, in the middle of the uncertainty, some of the most basic needs were being met.

At evacuation centres, people had a dry place to sleep, meals to eat and doctors on site. Volunteers spent long days helping register evacuees, organize donations and make sure people had what they needed.

Mamas for Mamas says it received so many donations it can no longer accept used goods, but gift cards and volunteers are still needed.