As the Sparks Lake wildfire grew to the northeast, prompting evacuation alerts in the North Thompson, residents were visited by local volunteer fire departments who were conducting structure protection for their homes.
Both the Blackpool and Little Fort volunteer fire departments had undertaken structural protection on properties along Highway 5 and in the Darfield area.
“Our members have been assessing homes throughout the area and installing structure protection measures,” a post to the Blackpool Fire Resuce Facebook page reads. “The past few days our members have put in long days and are working hard to keep our community safe.”
Many posted to Facebook to express their gratitude, some even noting how much more relaxed they felt knowing there was protection measures in place.
“Thank you so much to our VFD (volunteer fire department) for taking the time to make each of us feel that much safer during these times,” Kristy Culbert posted to the Little Fort Community Info Board. “Please stay safe and know you’re in our thoughts.”
The evacuation alerts for the District of Barriere and from McLure to Darfield in the TNRD were rescinded on Aug. 20 as the Sparks Lake wildfire no longer posed an immediate threat to residents. Cooler temperatures and rain over the weekend helped crews with suppression efforts across the Interior.
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