Fundraiser for Wilson’s Landing firefighters who lost homes to wildfire surpasses goal

A GoFundMe campaign set up to raise money for 13 firefighters whose homes were destroyed by the McDougall Creek wildfire in the Okanagan has surpassed its initial goal of $130,000.

As of 2 p.m. Friday, more than $140,000 had been raised for the 13 Wilson’s Landing members.

“The positives are the rains of the past two days have allowed the team to mostly stand down as the McDougall Creek fire within their protection zone is now contained. They are now conducting two person patrols each shift to address reports of spots fires and other calls,” GoFundMe organizer Arne Perrin wrote in an update Thursday.

“The negatives are that the team now have to face the reality of their own losses.”

Perrin goes on to write that the team is “mentally and emotionally exhausted.”

The organizer says the fundraising campaign will be closed on Tuesday, Sept. 5, after which point the money will be divvied up between the firefighters affected, to be used “at each family’s discretion while waiting for insurance.”

“It is now time to allow these families and their peers to heal in privacy,” Perrin said, adding anyone who would like to help the families after the GoFundMe shuts can reach out to the Wilson’s Landing Firefighter’s Society.

In an email sent to CityNews on Friday, Perrin says that the work these paid on-call volunteers “do for so little — and yet lose so much — is inspiring.”

“At the same time, there are so many other first responders in the Western Provinces and Territories giving so much of themselves at the moment. I think many would be surprised that most of these volunteers don’t get paid much more than minimum wage and only when called out. Clearly, it is all about their dedication to serve the communities.”

In August, after the firefighters learned their homes had been destroyed, Wilson’s Landing Fire Chief Paul Zydowicz described the situation as “a nightmare.”

Relate articles: 

• Fundraiser launched for Okanagan wildfire fighters who lost homes in blaze

• 13 Wilson’s Landing firefighters lose homes in Okanagan blaze

“This fire has been and continues to be a fire chief’s nightmare. The force, speed, and intensity of the fire is unprecedented in our community. Two years ago, as we worked the White Rock Lake fire, we thought at the time that it was the biggest fire of our lives. It pales to what we just experienced,” he said on Aug. 24.

“I want to take a moment today to express my deepest condolences to everyone that have lost their homes. When I say we are with you, know that I mean it. We understand the pain and grief that you are feeling because we are feeling it too. Know that this is what is driving us every single day as we work to protect homes and make sure areas are safe for you to return to.”

In addition to thanking the community at large and firefighters who came to B.C. from abroad, Zydowicz also expressed his gratitude to his team, saying the destruction overall resulted in “an incredible blow.”

“From the very first spark, you’ve shown up and fought this fire while your own homes were burning behind you,” the fire chief said. “I have no words to describe the pride that I feel to be part of this team.”