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Civilians were there too

Man in a red shirt with a mask and goggles around his neck, wearing a hard hat talking.

Feature photo:
Skidder and bulldozer operator Mike Kennedy after a hard day’s work.

Photo credit:
James Murray, Salmon Arm Observer, c. 1998

Man in a safety vest and a hard hat with dirt streaking his face looks at the camera.

Civilians put in long days just like everyone else. Some were contractors driving bulldozers. Others drove skidders. Others helped farmers protect their property.

Community members came forward to assist. They were easily identified. They didn’t wear Nomex suits. If they were trained and had a current S100 firefighting course, they were outfitted and put to work on the fire. Others helped laying hoses, clearing brush. No one was turned away.

Man wearing a safety vest eating a sandwich with a drink in his hand.

Lunch! Delivered too! Keith Limber one of many civilians called into service. Limber laid hoses and sprinklers for the Forestry Service.

Young woman with dark hair, wearing a safety vest and hard hat stares into distance.

Many unidentified civilians came out to help the firefighters.

Man wearing dirty coveralls and a hard hat spraying water through hose.

Jim Crawford