Mission firefighters lend their support Friday, Aug. 21, as Penticton prepares in the event that the Christie Mountain wildfire blows towards the city.
Image Credit: Steve Arstad
August 21, 2020 - 5:07 PM
Penticton businesses are showing their support in the form of food for firefighters and evacuees.
KOJO Penticton is offering a 30 per cent discount for evacuees and a 50 per cent discount for firefighters at its sushi location on Skaha Lake Road.
Those in a mandatory evacuation will receive a 40 per cent discount if they eat at The Pasta Factory.
Discounts will be applied to pick-up orders only and members of the forestry and fire department services can also receive the discount, which is valid until the mandatory evacuation order is lifted.
McDonald’s was also generous this morning, donating 120 egg McMuffins to firefighters on the frontlines, said city administrative officer Donny van Dyk.
The city has been inundated with offers to help, he said, from residents offering lodging, tools, equipment, to food including pizza, pasta and breakfasts for firefighters from local businesses.
"We're really appreciative of the offer, and the other thing that we're aware of is that many of these businesses have been through a tremendously challenging time due to COVID-19, which makes their offers even more generous," van Dyk said. "We're not currently taking donations of food directly dropped off because of COVID-19 and due to food safe."
The weather also seems to be cooperating this evening, he said, so the city is "feeling good," but van Dyk noted there has been a history in the city where fires have flared up again in the past.
There are 110 firefighters from across the province, and 61 firefighting apparatus that are currently assisting Penticton firefighters in their efforts to prepare for the event that the Christie Mountain wildfire blows into city limits.
The wildfire, burning at 2,000 hectares, is located six kilometres north of Okanagan Falls and has promoted evacuation alerts and orders in the region.
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