SORCO manager Dale Belvedere expressed her appreciation for the consideration shown by pilots fighting the Eagle Bluff wildfire today, Aug. 13, 2019.
(STEVE ARSTAD / iNFOnews.ca)
August 13, 2019 - 4:43 PM
PENTICTON - Consideration wildfire-fighting helicopter pilots showed for some recovering birds living on the ground below was enough to bring SORCO manager Dale Belvedere to tears.
In a social media post Belvedere said today she received a call from a firefighting pilot on the Eagle Bluff wildfire who noticed the facilities at the South Okanagan Rehabilitation Centre for Owls and wasn’t sure what they were.
“Last night they drove through and realized what we do, he was calling to ask if the noise of the helicopters was stressful to the birds,” she wrote in the post.
The pilot asked if it was stressing the birds, the helicopters would change their flight patterns to avoid flying over the compound.
“I explained we had no birds and it wasn’t a problem, and all that is important is they get the fire under control and they be safe,” she wrote, saying after she hung up she was in tears to think "with all the firefighters had to do, they were concerned for our birds.”
"Please join me in thanking these men and women," Belvedere concluded.
B.C. Wildfire reports in its latest update issued today at 11:40 a.m., the fire is still active and is still classified as out of control even though it may look like nothing is burning.
A planned ignition took place yesterday, with more planned for upcoming days if weather permits.
A crew of 147 firefighters, along with 10 helicopters and 24 pieces of heavy equipment continues to work hot spots and build fireguard.
B.C. Wildfire says the fire is currently burning deep within the ground, but warmer and drier conditions this week will likely mean a return to increased fire activity.
The Eagle Bluff wildfire held steady at 2,632 ha overnight.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2019