The weather outside was frightful, but the atmosphere in the Fire Hall was delightful.
On May 18, the Open House at the South Green Lake Fire Department (SGLVFD) Hall was successful despite the wind howling and large snowflakes swirling to the ground at 5 a.m. that day.
Firefighters, auxiliary members and Local FireSmart Representatives ignored the cold temperatures and pelting rain. They arrived at the Fire Hall around 10 a.m. to set up the tables for pies, door prizes, raffle baskets, fireworks donations/fencing, sprinklers, recycling/bottle sorting, Kids and FireSmarting right away.
The firefighters also brought tables and chairs into the Hall so visitors could sit down to eat hotdogs and have coffee while they rested and talked with friends and neighbours.
There was a sprinkler demonstration outside the hall, and Fire Department trainers Del Westfall and Dave Plenert answered questions about the value of having a sprinkler setup on the South Green Lake properties during wildfire season.
Westfall said several people were interested in buying some sprinklers.
Ember arrived and the party started
Organizers were pleased to have FireSmart’s mascot, the lovable fox Ember, come to the event. Parents and grandparents were happy to bring their youngsters to meet Ember.
It was a great opportunity for them to get photos of their happy youngsters with Ember.
Some adults also took an opportunity to get a photo with the FireSmart mascot.
A lot going on
There was a lot to do at this annual event, including purchasing delicious pies at the popular Pie Sale booth.
SGLVFD Auxiliary members provided apple, blueberry, Saskatoon/ blueberry and strawberry/rhubarb pies for $10 a pie.
Some visitors arrived at the Open House when it opened and went directly to the Pie Table to make sure they got their pick of frozen pies.
Door prizes and raffles
The door prize and raffle tables saw a lot of activity during the event and there were a lot of people interested to see if they won a door or raffle prize as the clock got closer to 1 p.m.
There were hoots of happiness when the winners heard their names called, and those who weren’t called consoled themselves by thinking their time would come at the next community event.
Food and drink
Visitors didn’t go hungry at the Open House as many people enjoyed the hotdogs, coffee and pop by donation at the food table.
Fireworks Table
The Fireworks table raised $250 to go towards this year’s fireworks display for the great South Green Lake community event.
Kids Table
Thanks to the clever thinking of Open House co-convener Kris Alexander, the Kids Table was placed next to the FireSmart tables.
The youngsters were entertained at the Kids Table as they coloured pages in the FireSmart colouring books, and got to pick their prizes while their parents or grandparents talked to the Local FireSmart Representatives (LFRs).
FireSmart Tables
The LFRs are known for having important information and gifts for visitors who come by their tables to learn about protecting their properties and buildings from wildfires.
LFR Ken Alexander, author of this column, said he talked to many property owners or their family members and provided important information about making their properties, homes, cabins and outbuildings more wildfire-resilient.
He also asked them to sign up for his free help in doing a self-assessment with them on their property and buildings, so they know what they have to do to protect their properties and buildings from wildfires scorching their properties and buildings.
LFR, and Assistant Fire Chief, Bob Bell provided a brilliant display at his FireSmart table showing where the wildfires have burned near our community in the past 100 years.
His message is crystal clear: ”It’s not a matter of if we will have a wildfire threaten our community; it is a matter of when it will happen.”
This is why it is so important for property owners to FireSmart their property.
“The drought conditions we are experiencing now are dire, and we have to protect our properties and buildings now, so our children and grandchildren will be able to “enjoy their time at the lake,” Alexander said.
He added a dozen people signed up to have free help to FireSmart their property.
There were plenty of presents (swag), including T-shirts, toques, bottle openers, bandanas, colouring books, crayons, pencils, collapsing water buckets and coolers on the FireSmart tables for the children, teens and adults.
There was also a table dedicated to FireSmart landscaping with FireSmart plants, bushes and trees.
The swag was provided by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District and the 100 Mile House Ministry of Forest office.
“We thank them for their lovely gifts and their support for the FireSmart efforts,” Alexander said, adding South Green Lake property owners can contact him at 250-456-7496 or email him at topdrawer1948@gmail.com if you would like help with a self assessment of your properties and buildings, or want more information about
FireSmart landscaping and where to get the plants, bushes and trees locally.
Let it rain; let it rain
Even though the rain pelted down during the Open House, people in the Fire Hall were happy because the rain was soaking the lawns, trees and flowers on their properties.
“However, it would take a lot more rain to reduce the drought in the forests that threaten our community!”
Readers who missed the Open House will have another opportunity to enjoy the South Green Lake community event experience.
The SGLVFD Auxiliary will be hosting their Community Day event at the Fire Hall on Aug. 3 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Summer hours
The 70 Mile Eco Depot is in its summer hours now.
It is open Saturday through Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
