Welcome to Colleen’s Corner. This is a column meant for fun and some information About myself: I am a Freelance Photographer you often see me on the side of the road or in various places taking photos of different things animals, birds, places, people etc. l have lived in Lumby for over 18 years, you have seen my photos in the newspaper (Lumby Valley Times) and once in awhile in the Vernon Morning Star, and the Lumby Art Gallery. Photography is my passion. Disclaimer: The information on some of my photos that I write about a lot of times come from the Internet or books I research them, hopefully the facts are as close to the truth as I can come.
By Colleen Fielding
Meet Kerry and Yvette, evacuees from Antoine Road near the Spallumcheen Golf Course they had been displaced from their home for a week. With 20 minutes to get out of their home and leave, they quickly gathered up their cat and what belongings they could grab, setting up their fifth wheel in minutes. Time was short, they had to move fast. Somethings like food, and Kerry’s C-Pac machine were left behind.
Kerry had checked his phone on BC Wildfires and saw an alert but nothing else came up on his phone, it wasn’t until a neighbour told them they had to evacuate still not hearing anything from the authorities. Kerry and Yvette both agreed there should have been more communication, not hearing only from a neighbour that it was time to leave. They knew the fire were getting close as they watched it move across the mountains but still were not told to evacuate yet.
The high winds on that day shifted and crossed the road, it was a miracle that it missed their house.
They were able to stay at a friend’s place for a couple of days in Vernon, then they found out about the Lions Campground here in Lumby.
After a week friends and neighbours had let them know, the power was still on, and their place seemed to be okay, but they wouldn’t really know anything until they got back home.
Anxious and excited that they could go home, Kerry and Yvette were very saddened about the people who lost their homes, pets, and other things.
Both Kerry and Yvette are very grateful for the Lions Campground, and Cheryl and her brother Ken that run it saying they were amazing people.
